"Evening!" replied the doctor. "Come off that hook."
"Whaffor?" demanded the man.
"Because I tell you to. Come off, quick."
The man began to whimper. "I can't," he said. "The rope's broke. 'Ow can I?"
"Jump."
"Jump?" echoed the man.
"Yes," said the doctor, "jump. I'll catch you. Jump!"
The man jumped.
We passed out amid a silence more than ever obvious. I remember one thing clearly. The door was held open for me by an effusive, smiling sailor-man—a sailor-man with a broken nose.
I walked out stiffly, with confidence, with pride. I walked in the shadow of THE HAT.