The idea originated with Bindle, who is never so happy as when listening to or telling a story. Sooner or later he will so guide conversation as to challenge from someone a reminiscence, or failing that, he will himself assume the burden of responsibility, and tell of how he engineered one of his ‘little jokes, ‘ as he calls them.
‘I likes to ‘ear ‘im tellin’ the tale, ‘ Bindle remarked one evening, as we sat in Dick Little’s flat. Dick had just finished an extravagant and highly-coloured account of an Oxford ‘rag.’ ‘Fancy young gentlemen be’avin’ like that, ‘ Bindle continued, ‘instead o’ learnin’ to be parsons. P’raps that’s why they looks such gentle Jims when they gets into a stiff collar, ‘ and Bindle buried a wink in his tankard.