"Mr Finlayson, do you dare to affirm that I--I--suggested that there should be corpses in the room, and coffins, and--and graveclothes? I have no hesitation in affirming that a more abominable insinuation I never heard."
The objectionable stranger to whom allusion has already been made rose from his chair.
"At last, Mr Short, I do agree with you. The business is an abominable one from beginning to end. As our President you have subjected us to a series of outrages against which it is our duty to protest in the most forcible manner."
"Hear! hear!" muttered someone. I do not know what ridiculous person it was.
"The most effective protest we can offer," continued the preposterous stranger, "is to at once leave the room. And that I for one shall instantly proceed to do. Those gentlemen who think with me will no doubt follow my example. You will be left to enjoy an orgie which a mentally, morally, and physically diseased imagination alone could have conceived."
Nearly every person present stood upon his feet. There were all sorts of exclamations.
"Hear! hear!"
"Bravo!"
"Excellently said!"
"Serve him right!"