Henry watched John step between himself and Charlie with bemusement, which turned to a slight concern as John took two of the glasses of punch and drank them both. After John spoke, Henry smiled easily, trying to cut through some of the tension that had suddenly sprung up between them. "Of course we will do no such thing," he said lightly, taking the remaining glass of punch and draining it before handing it back to Charlie. He repeated, "We will do no such thing because a man thinks equally with both organs, and should Charlie lose one or the other his usefulness would be immediately halved."
Giving Charlie a significant look, Henry took John by the elbow and led him away from the rest of the group. "My dear Johnny," he said in a low voice. "What on Earth has gotten into you? Other than twelve glasses of punch."