"This is your work, is it?"
The Doctor was jaunty and cool in manner.
"No, your works," he answered, with a foolish, exasperating snigger. "Aren't you pleased to see what notice they are attracting? I was afraid they were being forgotten in Denborough."
"God only knows," said Dale angrily, "why you take pleasure in annoying me; but I have borne enough of your insolence."
"Is it insolent to spread the sale of your books?"
"You will make your jackal take those books down and stop his infernal posters, or I'll thrash you within an inch of your life."
"Ah!" said Roberts, and his hand stole toward his breast-pocket.
"What do you say?"
"I say that if I can make a wretched snob like you unhappy, it's money well spent, and I'll see you damned before I take the books down."