Harris with accompaniment to Judge's song out of "Trial by Jury," finds that doesn't answer, and tries to recollect what he is doing, and where he is, feels his mind giving way, and stops short.]
Harris (with kindly encouragement): "It's all right. You're doing it very well, indeed—go on."
Nervous Pianist: "I'm afraid there's a mistake somewhere. What are you singing?"
Harris (promptly): "Why the Judge's song out of Trial by Jury. Don't you know it?"
Some Friend of Harris's (from the back of the room): "No, you're not, you chuckle-head, you're singing the Admiral's song from Pinafore."
[Long argument between Harris and Harris's friend as to what Harris is really singing. Friend finally suggests that it doesn't matter what Harris is singing so long as Harris gets on and sings it, and Harris, with an evident sense of injustice rankling inside him, requests pianist to begin again. Pianist, thereupon, starts prelude to the Admiral's song, and Harris, seizing what he considers to be a favourable opening in the music, begins.]
Harris:
"'When I was young and called to the Bar.'"
[General roar of laughter, taken by Harris as a compliment. Pianist, thinking of his wife and family, gives up the unequal contest and retires; his place being taken by a stronger-nerved man.
