“Loaded, you mean.”

“He’s cracked in the nut.”

“And he needs another crack on the nut,” shouted the leader, dancing up, and again knocking the hat over the old man’s eyes.

Once more pushing it back, the aged actor spoke in his deep voice, made somewhat husky by drink:

“Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen and lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent that you may hear; believe me for mine honor; and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe; censure me in your wisdom, and awaken your senses, that you may——”

“Oh, that’s too much!” cried the ruffianly young leader. “We can’t stand that kind of guy. What’re yer givin’ us, anyway?”

“He’s drunk!” shouted several.

“Alas and alack!” sighed the old man. “I fear thou speakest the truth.

“‘Boundless intemperance
In nature is a tyranny; it hath been
The untimely emptying of the happy throne,
And the fall of many kings.’”

“That’s what causes your fall,” declared the ruffianly leader, as he tripped the actor, causing him to fall heavily.