The End of the Foreword. Weep a gentlemanly tear. Wipe it away with the napkin.
"Gentlemen, I must excuse myself. I have something to attend to."
Stand up and leave. Calmly.
[5] Like an experienced Gentleman, Mr John Link calmly rises and excuses himself from the table, expertly manipulating his napkin. Those closest to him even remark a gentlemanly tear roll gently down his cheek, an extraordinarily appropriate display of emotion in this distressing time.
Trait gained!Knows When To Display Feelings (+1 when speaking to ladies)
Become left-handed and Leave, silently.
[4] Clearly having dealt with similar tragedy before in his distinguished life, Mr Wallace employs the traditional Harrow Method for dealing with a great upset, and becomes left handed. He gets up to leave, wordlessly.
Trait gained!Left Handed (+1 to being left-handed)
Remove my top hat, cry a bit, then replace my top hat and convince everyone that I have to leave, doing so afterward.
[5] William Wellington removes the telegram from the silver platter that it is brought on, and reads the contents without so much as a flicker of movement crossing his stylishly accessorised figure. He de-accessorises his figure, and in a brief and remarkably controlled manner cries several honest English tears. He replaces his hat, and, just before von Fersen rises to his feet, convinces the table that he must leave, and he turns to do so.
Trait gained!Extraordinarily Convincing (+1 to convincing)
Cry into my monocle, give the butler my regards, pay my bill, and leave for the funeral. Also, admire Zero's top hat and ask if he has a spare.
[5] Your display of emotion is appropriate, your respect towards the butler is appreciated. Whether or not Mr Wellington has a spare top hat is for him to decide, but your fine eye for fashion even in a time of distress is well noted.
Trait gained!Particularly Calm (+1 to remaining calm)
Gentlemanliness Increased!The butlers of London's finest clubs will soon know who this polite and well-dressed man is. And if there is something more important to a Gentleman than his favourite dog, well, whether he know it or not, it is his butler.
What happened to the stiff upper lip?
[editor's note - excellent question]
First of all, question the spelling of this note, what kind of country spells favorite like that? Then, ask the butler from whom the telegram came.
[2] Questioning the butler, Winston Smith makes the faux pas of questioning the King's English, leading to a rather sullen attitude towards him from the aforementioned butler, and no satisfactory response.
Trait gained!Fallible Pedant! (-1 to Pedantry)
Skill Acquired!Knowledge of the English Gentleman (+1 to discerning real English Gentlemen)
Caddishness Increased!The butlers of London will soon all have heard about your terrible faux pas!
Puff my pipe while solemnly and quietly reminiscing the many fine adventures we had together, then share the bad news and raise a glass to her honour.
"It is a sad day to see such a good hound pass away from us, a finer and more loyal companion I could never ask for. Ah, how I wish now that we would have had time for a last hunt together. But such is life, that good friends depart at the most inconvenient times. I say instead, that we should appreciate our comrades while they are alive, and take a moment to remember those dear to us that has gone away from us, through death or distance. A cheer, I would ask, to those we wish would grace our company once more."
[6] Informed of his loss, August von Fersen pauses for reflection, and then rises to his feet to propose a toast. His speech is a moving one, and appeals to the best in all men. Several gentlemen at a neighbouring table are witnessed to have turned to face our valiant group of gentlemen, and more than one was seen to wipe away a tear.
Skill Acquired!Tremendous Orator (+1 to Speeches)
Gentlemanliness Increased!Renowned for his apposite toasting!
[traits and skills will not be so easily gained in future turns]