"How did you happen to lose it?" I inquired, as I drew it towards me.
"It was my friend as done it; 'e 'it it out of my 'and."
This was an allusion to the rower in front of him, which the rower resented.
"'Ow do yer make that out? Didn't you clout me in the middle of the back with it, and ain't you been clouting me with it all the way along, and didn't I say to you, ''Enery, if you keeps on a-doing that something'll 'appen'?"
The gentleman who had been deprived of his scull dissented.
"If you knocks your back against my oar what's that got to do with me?"
"Why, you crackpot, don't you know better than that? If you was to 'old your oar as you ought to, I shouldn't come agin it, should I?"
"It's easy talking!"
"Ain't I sittin' in front of yer?"
"Course you are."