"Pooh, pooh!" said he; "don't fuss yourself about nothing. I understand how to deal with these fellows. You 'll see, five-and-twenty Naps, will set it all right."
"I see," said I, "your intention is to outrage me; and I beg that I may be left alone."
"Come, don't be angry with me, Dodd," cried he, in one of his good-tempered, coaxing ways. "I know well you 'd never have done it—"
"Done what,—done what?" screamed I, in an agony of rage.
He made a gesture with the fishing-rod, and burst out a-laughing for reply.
"Do you mean that I stuck that scoundrel that has just gone out?" cried I.
"And no great harm, either!" said he.
"Do you mean that I stuck him?—answer me that."
"Well, I 'd be just as much pleased if you had not," said he; "for, though they are always punching holes into each other, they don't like an Englishman to do it. Still, keep quiet, and I 'll set it all straight before to-morrow. The doctor shall give a certificate, setting forth mental excitement, and so forth. We 'll show that you are not quite responsible for your actions just now."
"Egad, you 'll have a proof of your theory, if you go on much longer at this rate," said I, grinding my teeth with passion.