Volume 99 — MR. PUNCH'S DICTIONARY OF PHRASES.
Reading edition
AT AN AFTERNOON CALL.
"So glad to see you at last. Now don't let me interrupt your talk with Mrs. VEREKER;" i.e., "If I do, I shall be let in for being button-holed."
"Do let me get you some tea—you must be dying for a cup;" i.e., "Know I am."
"So sorry—I fear everything is cold. Do let me have some fresh tea made for you;" i.e., "He can't accept that offer."
IN A NON-SMOKING CARRIAGE.
"You don't mind my cigar, do you?" i.e., "I know he does, but I'm not going to waste it."
(Reply to the above query.)
"Oh, not at all!" i.e., "Beastly thing! If he wasn't so confoundedly selfish and stingy, he'd throw it away."