"Thank you," said he, with a bow, "but really, me boy, you must excuse me if I insist upon it."
"Oh, no," said I. "If it were any other occasion, I would cheerfully give you the precedence, and so I give it to you here."
"But, you see," said O'Halloran, "you must considher me in the loight of an intertainer. Ye're my guest to a certain ixtint. I must give up all the honors to you. So foire awee, me boy, and eem low."
"No," said I, "I really couldn't think of it."
This friendly altercation went on for some time, while the others sat listening in amazement.
McGinty was the first to interrupt.
"It's in defoiuce of all the joolin code," said he, starting up. "I must inter my protest."
"So say I," cried Jack. "I say let the usual word be given—or else if one must have the first shot, let them draw for it."
O'Halloran looked upon them both with a smile of benevolent pity.
"McGinty," said he.