The things we do!

"Close up,
gentlemen," called out honest Newcome, "we are not going to part just
yet. Let me fill your glass, General. You used to have no objection to a
glass of wine." And he poured out a bumper for his friend, which the old
campaigner sucked in with fitting gusto. "Who will give us a song?
Binnie, give us the 'Laird of Cockpen.' It's capital, my dear General.
Capital," the Colonel whispered to his neighbour.
Mr. Binnie struck up the "Laird of Cockpen," without, I am bound to say,
the least reluctance. He bobbed to one man, and he winked to another, and
he tossed his glass, and gave all the points of his song in a manner
which did credit to his simplicity and his humour. You haughty
Southerners little know how a jolly Scotch gentleman can desipere in
loco, and how he chirrups over his honest cups. I do not say whether it
was with the song or with Mr. Binnie that we were most amused. It was a
good commonty, as Christopher Sly says; nor were we sorry when it was
done.


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