It is one of Harris's fixed ideas that he CAN sing a comic song; the fixed idea, on the contrary, among those of Harris's friends who have heard him try, is that he CAN'T and never will be able to, and that he ought not to be allowed to try.
Harris s’est mis en tete qu’il sait pousser la chansonnette. Mais ceux de ses amis qui l’ont entendu sont persuadés qu’il ne sait pas et ne saura jamais chanter, et qu’on ne devrait meme pas lui permettre d’essayer.