An Impudent Wit
HOOK one day walking in the Strand with a friend, had his attention
directed to a very pompous gentleman, who strutted along as if the
street were his own. Instantly leaving his companion, Hook went up to
the stranger and said, I beg your pardon sir, but pray may I ask,--are
you anybody in particular? Before the astonished magnifico could
collect himself so as to reply practically or otherwise to the query,
Hook had passed on.