"I saw Jessamy Todd fight the big fellow at the 'Ring o' Bells' this morning and—"
"What?" cried my uncle, on his feet in a moment. "You saw Jessamy fight? Oh, begad, Perry—why couldn't you say so before?"
"You believe this, then, sir?"
"I do. Tell me all about it. I've heard rumours—they say it was a clean knockout—"
"The big man was indeed rendered quite unconscious, Uncle—"
"And you saw? Out with it, Perry lad!"
"But sir," I enquired, a little disdainfully, "why all this stir about a vulgar brawl?"
"Vulgar brawl, begad—"
"Well, a brutal bout at fisticuffs with a ruffian—"
"Heavens and earth, boy," exclaimed my uncle, in growing indignation, "don't ye know you were privileged to see one of the very greatest fighters of any time, school or—oh, b'gad—"