"What will you drink?" asked Mrs Hamilton of Mavis.

"Water, please."

"Water?" echoed Mrs Hamilton.

Mr Ellis looked keenly at Mavis.

"Have some champagne," continued Mrs Hamilton.

"I'd fall under the table if I did. I'll have water. I never drink
anything else," said Mavis.

"I never drink anything else except champagne," retorted Mrs
Hamilton. "Look here, if Miss Devereux drinks water I shall,"
declared Williams.

"Do. The change will do you good," replied Mavis.

"See what I've let myself in for," said Williams, as he kept his
word.

As the servant was about to pour out champagne for Mr Ellis, Mrs
Hamilton said:

"Stop! I've something special for you."

She then whispered to the servant, who left the room to bring back a
curious, old bottle. When this was opened, a golden wine poured into
Mr Ellis's glass, where it bubbled joyously, as if rejoicing at