"I am your debtor for your reflections upon whetting glasses; but ale, sir, is a beverage I don't affect, nor shall while there are vines in France." "Ah!" sighed Mr.Green rapturously.

"'Tis a great country, France; is it not, sir ?" "'Tis not the general opinion here at present.

But I make no doubt that it deserves your praise." "And Paris, now," persisted Mr.Green.

"They tell me 'tis a great city; a marvel o' th' ages.

There be those, ecod! that say London's but a kennel to't." "Be there so ?" quoth Mr.Caryll indifferently.
"Ye don't agree with them, belike ?" asked Mr.Green, with eagerness.
"Pooh! Men will say anything," Mr.Caryll replied, and added pointedly: "Men will talk, ye see." "Not always," was the retort in a sly tone.