Троє в човні крім собаки

           ItwasalongwhilebeforeIcouldgetHarristotakeamoreChristianviewofthesubject,butIsucceededatlast,andhepromisedmethathewouldsparethefriendsandrelationsatallevents,andwouldnotsingcomicsongsontheruins. 

           YouhaveneverheardHarrissingacomicsong,oryouwouldunderstandtheserviceIhadrenderedtomankind. ItisoneofHarris’sfixedideasthathecansingacomicsong; thefixedidea,onthecontrary,amongthoseofHarris’sfriendswhohaveheardhimtry,isthathecan’tandneverwillbeableto,andthatheoughtnottobeallowedtotry. 

           WhenHarrisisataparty,andisaskedtosing,hereplies: "Well,Icanonlysingacomicsong,youknow;" andhesaysitinatonethatimpliesthathissingingofthat,however,isathingthatyououghttohearonce,andthendie. 

           "Oh,thatisnice,"saysthehostess. "Dosingone,Mr.Harris;"andHarrisgetsup,andmakesforthepiano,withthebeamingcheerinessofagenerous-mindedmanwhoisjustabouttogivesomebodysomething. 

           "Now,silence,please,everybody"saysthehostess,turninground;"Mr.Harrisisgoingtosingacomicsong!" 

           "Oh,howjolly!"theymurmur;andtheyhurryinfromtheconservatory,andcomeupfromthestairs,andgoandfetcheachotherfromalloverthehouse,andcrowdintothedrawing-room,andsitround,allsmirkinginanticipation. 

           ThenHarrisbegins. 

           Well,youdon’tlookformuchofavoiceinacomicsong. Youdon’texpectcorrectphrasingorvocalization.