“The big chair was hurled into a corner as he rose sputtering from the floor, and holding his jaws with both hands.
“‘Och! ye spalpeen, is that the way ye trait people?’
“‘Yes,’ I replied in a voice of forced calmness, ‘we usually put a restraint on strong men like you, when they’re likely to be violent.’
“I saw the corners of his eyes wrinkle a little, and felt more confidence.
“‘Arrah, but it’s the jawbone ye’ve took out, ye goormacalluchscrowl!’
“‘No, it isn’t, it’s only the tooth,’ I replied, going forward and picking it up from the floor.
“The amazement of the man is not to be described. I gave him a tumbler of water, and, pointing to a basin, told him to wash out his mouth, which he did, looking at me all the time, however, and following me with his astonished eyes, as I moved about the room. He seemed to have been bereft of the power of speech; for all that he could say after that was, ‘Och! av yer small yer cliver!’
“On leaving he asked what was to pay. I said that I’d ask nothing, as he had stood it so well; and he left me with the same look of astonishment in his eyes and words of commendation on his lips.”
“Well, that was a tremendous experience to begin with,” said Mr Durant, laughing; “and so it made you a doctor?”
“It helped. When my father came home I presented him with the tooth, and from that day to this I have been hard at work; but I feel a little seedy just now from over-study, so I have resolved to try to get a berth as surgeon on board a ship bound for India, Australia, China, or South America, and, as you are a shipowner and old friend, I thought it just possible you might be not only willing but able to help me to what I want.”