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With his words the telephone rang.

"Talk of the devil," said Jonah. "I'll lay a pony that's him."

"Act Two, Scene One," said Berry, and stepped to the instrument.

Before we could beg him to be cautious, he had the receiver off.

"Hullo," he cried, "hullo... Oh, is that you, Casca? We were just speaking of you. How's your head, old cock.... Oh, that's no good.... No, I've not finished yet, dear lady. Ne coupez pas. I'll tell you what I'll do when I've finished. I'll put the receiver back... No, Casca. That's no good. What you want is some leeches. Order in half a dozen, and I'll come and put them on.... But it's not the slightest trouble. I'd love to. Besides, they just dig themselves in. And once they're gorged, they come away in your hand... No, I've not finished yet, you vixen. Ne coupez pas. Why the devil... What? You don't want the leeches? Oh, well, perhaps you know best. Come and have lunch instead... Yes, something quite slight. A spot of foie gras and a gallon of half and half. Half stout and half milk. That'll do your head good.... Oh, nothing like it, my boy. Tunes up the system, you know, and makes the liver think.... What's that? You won't take it? You know, mon Casca, I don't believe you want to get well. Never mind. Don't be late. We want you to meet some people we met on the train.... Oh, no. Quite different to the Plazas. All the same, if I were you, I should leave your cigarette-case at home. Just in case, you know. No, I have not, you viper. NE COUPEZ PAS. Didn't I say... Yes, Casca. Your cigarette-case. The platinum one your brother had--I say, don't bring it, in case... What? You haven't got it to bring? Why?... The Plazas took it? Oh, go on.... Well, why on earth didn't you say so?"