"It is devilish fine wine," said the Eyebrows, and they looked more good-humoured; and George was going to take advantage of this complacency, and bring the supply question on the mahogany, when the father, relapsing into solemnity, though rather cordial in manner, bade him ring the bell for claret. "And we'll see if that's as good as the Madeira, George, to which his Royal Highness is welcome, I'm sure. And as we are drinking it, I'll talk to you about a matter of importance."
Amelia heard the claret bell ringing as she sat nervously upstairs. She thought, somehow, it was a mysterious and presentimental bell. Of the presentiments which some people are always having, some surely must come right.
"What I want to know, George," the old gentleman said, after slowly smacking his first bumper--"what I want to know is, how you and--ah--that little thing upstairs, are carrying on?"
"I think, sir, it is not hard to see," George said, with a self-satisfied grin. "Pretty clear, sir.--What capital wine!"
"What d'you mean, pretty clear, sir?"

"It is devilish fine wine," and he looked more good-humoured. "Ring the bell for the claret, George, and we'll see if that's as good as the Madeira. And while we are drinking it, I'll talk to you about a matter of importance."
Amelia heard the bell ringing as she sat nervously upstairs. She thought, somehow, it was a mysterious and presentimental bell.
"What I want to know, George," the old gentleman said, "is, how you and - ah - that little thing upstairs, are carrying on?"
"I think, sir, it is not hard to see," George said with a self-satisfied grin. "Pretty clear, sir. What capital wine!"
"What d'you mean, pretty clear, sir?"
