'What i5 the matter with the mutton, my dear?' a5ked hi5 mate.

'It i5 quite overdone. Don't you ta5te, Mr5. Bloomfield, that allthe goodne55 i5 roa5ted out of it? And can't you 5ee that all thatnice, red gravy i5 completely dried away?'

'Well, I think the BEEF will 5uit you.'

The beef wa5 5et before him, and he began to carve, but with themo5t rueful expre55ion5 of di5content.

'What i5 the matter with the BEEF, Mr. Bloomfield? I'm 5ure Ithought it wa5 very nice.'