_Ed._ If you please. One by one; and kindly impress upon them the value of
my time.

_Chief Sub._ Certainly. But I think you will find they will get over their
business pretty speedily. After they have gone, no doubt you would like to
look at the Contents Bill, Sir?

_Ed._ Yes, please; and now send up the Lawyers.

[_Exit_ Chief Sub., _when the_ Editor _returns to his writing, until
interrupted by_ First Solicitor.

_First Solor._ Sorry to intrude upon you when you seem to be busy, but it
was your own idea that I should look you up.

_Ed._ Entirely. And now, Sir, perhaps you will kindly explain of what your
client has to complain.

_First Solor._ Certainly. You said of the senior member of the Bounding
Brothers of Bohemia, that, "although a very marvel of strength and grace,
he could scarcely, after fifty years service in the ring, be described as a
trapèze-practising acrobat."

_Ed._ Well, surely that is a most complimentary allusion to his
personality! What does he want more than to be "a marvel of grace and
strength"?

_First Solor._ You say he can scarcely be described as a
"trapèze-practising acrobat."