"Not just now, thank you." "Nothing else I can get for you ?" I said, feeling genuinely sorry for the well-mannered old donkey.

"A cup of tea ?" I saw a struggle in his eye and I conquered.

When the cup of tea came he drank it like a dipsomaniac gulping brandy.

Then he fell back and said: "I have had such a time, Mr Swinburne.

I am not used to these excitements.