Once Over Lightly

NEVER SAY DIE DEFT.: We read in the newspaper the other day about the New Year's Eve party that just wouldn't give up. Someone got the bright idea that one sure way to liven up the proceedings was to set the cognac punch alight. They did, and instantly the room glimmered warmly in the fiery flames of the blazing brandy. The only problem was that the flames soared too high and set off the automatic sprinkler overhead. Enterprising lushes all, they quickly hoisted up a man who plugged the hole with his thumb until the sprinkler could be turned off. The party adjourned to a dryer room adjoining and went on. . .and on. . .and on.