.

This whitebait is n't fit for cats! Clever fellow, Jellaby! No nonsense about him! Have you ever heard him speak?
Awful good sport to watch him sittin' on the Opposition.

A poor lot they are!" and he laughed, either from appreciation of Jellaby sitting on a small minority, or from appreciation of the champagne bubbles in his glass.
"Minorities are always depressing," said Shelton dryly.
"Eh?
what ?" "I mean," said Shelton, "it's irritating to look at people who have n't a chance of success--fellows who make a mess of things, fanatics, and all that." His neighbour turned his eyes inquisitively.
"Er--yes, quite," said he; "don't you take mint sauce?
It's the best part of lamb, I always think." The great room with its countless little tables, arranged so that every man might have the support of the gold walls to his back, began to regain its influence on Shelton.

How many times had he not sat there, carefully nodding to acquaintances, happy if he got the table he was used to, a paper with the latest racing, and someone to gossip with who was not a bounder; while the sensation of having drunk enough stole over him.

Happy! That is, happy as a horse is happy who never leaves his stall.
"Look at poor little Bing puffin' about," said his neighbour, pointing to a weazened, hunchy waiter.