“But you wish me to walk on and mind my own business?”
“Not exactly that, old chap. Please don’t think me rude. I am very sorry, but I can’t talk much to-night.”
“So I understand. That is why I think it is best for you to have company, even such disagreeable companionship as my own.”
“Confound it, man,” cried the other, now thoroughly irritated; “tell me which way you are going and I will take the other. Why on earth cannot you take a polite hint, and leave me to myself?”
“It is precisely because I am good at taking a hint that I positively refuse to leave you until you are safely landed at your hotel. Indeed, I may stick to you then for some hours.”
“The devil take you! What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I say.”
“If you don’t quit this instant I will punch your head for you.”
“Ah! You are recovering already. But before you start active exercise take your overcoat off. That revolver in the breast pocket might go off accidentally, you know. Besides, as I shall hit back, I might fetch my knuckles against it, and that would be hardly fair. Otherwise, I can do as much in the punching line as you can, any day.”
This reply utterly disconcerted Mensmore.