"Of course, Jack doesn't. Jack,
tell him about the Grand Research. Enlighten his ignorance, that's a
good fellow."
"Enlighten him yourself, if you want to. You'll tell it all wrong:
but I'm tired," declared Foe.
"Well, then," said I, "it's this way, dear James. . . . You behold
seated opposite to you on the right of the fireplace, and smoking the
beast of a brier pipe with the modesty of true genius, a Scientific
Man--a Savant, shall I say?--of European reputation. It isn't quite
European just yet: but it's going to be, which is better."
"I always prophesied it," said Jimmy. "What's it going to be _for_?"
"Listen," said I. "Having received (as you assure us) a liberal
education, either at Eton or B.N.C., you probably made acquaintance
with that beautiful poem by Dr. Isaac Watts beginning--"
'Let dogs delight to bark and bite-'
"Continue the quotation, with brief notes on any obscurities."
"Certainly," said Jimmy.
'Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
'Tis manners so to do--'
"No, that sounds a bit off."
'Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature toe.
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