I have read of that, too, and I think it would be an improvement.

Have you got a pocket-knife, Mr.Dod ?" Dicky produced it without a pang and we heard the rapid sound of an unbuttoning shoe.

"I had these made to order at two guineas, in the Burlington Arcade," said Mrs.Portheris regretfully.
"Then," said Dicky gravely, groping to hand her the knife, "they will be of good kid, and probably tender." "I hope so, indeed," said Mrs.Portheris; "we must all have some.

Will you--will you _carve_, Mr.Dod ?" I remembered with a pang how punctilious they were in England about asking gentlemen to perform this duty, and I received one more impression of the permanence of British ideas of propriety.

But Dicky declined; said he couldn't undertake it--for a party, and that Mrs.
Portheris must please help herself and never mind him, he would take anything there was, a little later, with great hospitality.