Father Payne by A.C. Benson

Father Payne broke out suddenly after dinner to two or three of us about a book he had been reading.

"It's called a _Life_," he said, "at the top of every page almost. I don't wonder the author felt it necessary to remind you -- or perhaps he was reminding himself? I can see him," said Father Payne, "saying to himself with a rueful expression, 'This is a Life, undoubtedly!' Why, the waxworks of Madame Tussaud are models of vivacity and agility compared to it. I never set eyes on such a book!"