She began to trot out scraps of French, just for all the world as they do in the novels; and kissed her hand to me quite graciously, telling me to come soon to caffy, UNG PU DE MUSICK O SALONG--with which she tripped off like an elderly fairy.
'Shall I open a bottle of port, or do you ever drink such a thing as Hollands and water ?' says Ponto, looking ruefully at me.

This was a very different style of thing to what I had been led to expect from him at our smoking-room at the Club: where he swaggers about his horses and his cellar: and slapping me on the shoulder used to say, 'Come down to Mangelwurzelshire, Snob my boy, and I'll give you as good a day's shooting and as good a glass of claret as any in the county.'-- 'Well,' I said, 'I like Hollands much better than port, and gin even better than Hollands.' This was lucky.

It WAS gin; and Stripes brought in hot water on a splendid plated tray.
The jingling of a harp and piano soon announced that Mrs.Ponto's ung PU DE MUSICK had commenced, and the smell of the stable again entering the dining-room, in the person of Stripes, summoned us to CAFFY and the little concert.

She beckoned me with a winning smile to the sofa, on which she made room for me, and where we could command a fine view of the backs of the young ladies who were performing the musical entertainment.

Very broad backs they were too, strictly according to the present mode, for crinoline or its substitutes is not an expensive luxury, and young people in the country can afford to be in the fashion at very trifling charges.