The word for tea in Armenian is--by-the-bye, what is the Armenian word for tea ?" "That's your affair, not mine," said Belle; "it seems hard that the master should ask the scholar." "Well," said I, "whatever the word may be in Armenian, it is a noun; and as we have never yet declined an Armenian noun together, we may as well take this opportunity of declining one.

Belle, there are ten declensions in Armenian!" "What's a declension ?" "The way of declining a noun." "Then, in the civilest way imaginable, I decline the noun.

Is that a declension ?" "You should never play on words; to do so is low, vulgar, smelling of the pothouse, the workhouse.

Belle, I insist on your declining an Armenian noun." "I have done so already," said Belle.
"If you go on in this way," said I, "I shall decline taking any more tea with you.

Will you decline an Armenian noun ?" "I don't like the language," said Belle.