"Why is it, do you think, that the effect is so different on different people?"
"And on different occasions," said I, grinning through my burgundy. "Do you know what they say? They say that alcohol, if it has an effect on your psyche, takes you back to old states of consciousness, and old reactions. But some people it doesn't stimulate at all, there is only a nervous reaction of repulsion."
"There's certainly a nervous reaction of repulsion in me," said Carlotta.
"As there is in all higher natures," murmured Lady Lathkill.
"Dogs hate whisky," said I.
"That's quite right," said the Colonel. "Scared of it!"
"I've often thought," said I, "about those old states of consciousness. It's supposed to be an awful retrogression, reverting back to them. Myself, my desire to go onwards takes me back a little."
"Where to?" said Carlotta.
"Oh, I don't know! To where you feel a bit warm, and like smashing the glasses, don't you know?
J'avons bien bu et nous boirons!
Cassons les verres nous les payerons!
Compagnons! Voyez vous bien!
Voyez vous bien!
Voyez! voyez! voyez vous bien
Que les d'moiselles sont belles
Où nous allons!"