Why do you write such devilish good ones ?' Went a little farther and met March.
'Mind you stand on the top of the desk, Ruskin; gentlemen-commoners never stand on the steps.' I asked him whether it would look more dignified to stand head or heels uppermost.

He advised heels.

Then met Desart.

'We must have a grand supper after this, Ruskin; gentlemen-commoners always have a flare-up after reading their themes.' I told him I supposed he wanted to 'pison my rum-and-water.'" And though they teased him unmercifully, he seems to have given as good as he got.

At a big wine after the event, they asked him whether his essay cost 2s.6d.or 5s.