*    *    *    *    *

"Bertie," he said. "I want your advice."
"Carry on."
"At least, not advice, because that wouldn't be much good to anybody.
I mean, you're a pretty consummate old ass, aren't you? Not that I
want to hurt your feelings, of course."
"No, no, I see that."

*    *    *    *    *

And half a minute later I was up in the drawing room,
shaking hands with the fattest man I have ever seen in my life.
The motto of the Little family was evidently "variety." Young Bingo is long
and thin and hasn't had a superfluous ounce on him since we first met; but
the uncle restored the average and a bit over. The hand which grasped mine
wrapped it around and enfolded it till I began to wonder if I'd ever get it out
without excavating machinery.

*    *    *    *    *

At that moment the gong sounded, and the genial host
came tumbling downstairs like the delivery of a ton of coals.

*    *    *    *    *