Volunteer wit, or, Not enough for a prime [graphic]

"Six elderly volunteers in uniform, with pigtails, sit at dessert. The host (left), holding a decanter and small glass, says: Come Gentlemen Volunteers to the right and left--Charge if you please to the King [these words are linked to the mouth of the butler, but this seems inconsistent with the dialogue]. His vis-à-vis, rising from his chair, answers: I should be very happy to obey your Orders Colonel, but really your glasses are so small that d------n me if theres enough for a Prime [a specialized meaning of the word not in the O.E.D.] . . At the Colonel's feet are papers: A Penny saved is a 2 Pence got and Current Price of Port Shery--To one Pipe Old Port £120. The butler behind his chair grins delightedly. On the wall is a placard: Maxims--How to get Rich--Pinch Sque[eze], Gripe, Snat[ch]. The room has Gothic mouldings and a window on which are the arms of the City of London, suggesting that the host may be the Lord Mayor (John Ainsley 1807-8)."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state