A man dropping from a balloon struck against a soaring eagle.
"I beg your pardon," said he, continuing his descent; "I never _could_
keep off eagles when in my descending node."
"It is agreeable to meet so pleasing a gentleman, even without
previous appointment," said the bird, looking admiringly down upon the
lessening aeronaut; "he is the very pink of politeness. How extremely
nice his liver must be. I will follow him down and arrange his simple
obsequies."
This fable is narrated for its intrinsic worth.