“Fair play, Norman,” he said; “I won't have him touched here. You can go now.”
As Louis left the room, Hamilton resumed his former attitude, and seemed lost in a revery of an unpleasant description, while a discussion on Louis' conduct was noisily carried on around him: some declaring that Louis had done the deed from malicious motives, others believing that it was merely a foolish joke of which he had not calculated the consequences, and a third party attributing it entirely to Casson's influence.
“Vexed as I am to find Louis has been so foolish,” said Reginald, “I am glad, Frank, that you will now be cleared. Hamilton, I am sure you believe that Louis only intended a joke?”
Hamilton nodded gravely.
“I suppose you'll clear up the matter instanter, Hamilton?” said Jones.
“Clear up the matter? How! is it not clear enough already?” said Hamilton, almost fiercely.
“Clear to us, but not to the doctor,” said Meredith.
“It's as clear as it's likely to be, then,” said Hamilton. “I intend to send up this poem the last evening, and say nothing about it.”
“A likely story!” exclaimed Jones.
“If you don't, I shall, Hamilton,” said Salisbury.