The half-mocking tone disappeared in a burst of laughter as John answered—
"Yes, of course."
"And I suppose it never entered your head that Lawrence would not have been so particular about shutting your mouth without good reason."
"Perhaps," said John, after a pause, "Lawrence was in a funk lest, lest——"
"Go on!"
"Lest the thing should be exaggerated."
"Exactly. Lots of fellows would go about saying that I was dead drunk—eh?"
"They might."
"And that would be coming dangerously near the truth."