From Mystery in White, by J. Jefferson Farjeon

***

[With reference to a supposed ghost of Charles the First. And, yes, this novel features a character who is (initially) referred to as "the bore"!]

"Charles the Fiddlesticks!" muttered the bore.

***

[Rhetorical Questions Answered dept.]

"What'd we feel like if we read in to-morrow's papers that he'd been found buried in snow?"

"To-morrow's Christmas, and there won't be any papers."

***

"Yes, one does almost feel as if one almost ought to go after him, doesn't one?" [Isn't that a masterpiece of upper-class British expression?]

"This one doesn't," replied the bore, unconsciously adding a point in favour of departure.

***

"That doesn't explain anything."

"Nothing explains anything!"

***

[Nonsense dept.]

Jessie smiled, as nonsense advanced on apprehension.