Not long after another subject gave me occasion to tell a witty story, which somehow came to me at the moment.

My "friend" asked me with a keen glance where I had read it, and at once I recollected those open books and understood the position, resolving mischievously to outflank the manaeuverer.

Accordingly, at each opportunity, with seeming innocence, I "wiped his eye," as they say at a _battue_, and certainly reaped the anecdotic "_kudos_" Mr.So-and-so had cunningly contrived and hoped to achieve for himself.

I confess it was vicious of me, but who could help taking the benefit of such a chance?
Hosts should beware of wits who cram their jokes and anecdotes.

Years after I met the same gentleman at another entertainer's table, where I found him in my presence not quite the livener-up they had expected, and he seemed a little shy of me; probably he thought me an omniscient, for I never told the poor man I had found him out.