"Unprovoked attack!" cried one.
"Savage ruffian!" ejaculated another.
"What atrocity!" said a third.
"What dignified composure!" added a fourth, in an audible whisper, meant for M'Garry's ear.
"Gentlemen!" said the apothecary, flurried at the extreme attention of which he became the object; "I beg to assure you I am deeply—that is—this proof of—of—of—of symptoms—gentlemen—I mean sympathy, gentlemen—in short, I really——"
"The fact is," said Growling, "I see Mr. M'Garry is rather shaken in nerve—whether from loss of blood or——"
"I have lost a quantity of blood, doctor," said M'Garry; "much vascular, to say nothing of extra-vasated."
"Which, I'll state in my case," said Murphy.
"Murphy, don't interrupt," said Growling, who, with a very grave face, recommenced: "Gentlemen, from the cause already stated, I see Mr. M'Garry is not prepared to answer the out-pouring of feeling with which you have greeted him, and if I might be permitted——"
Every one shouted, "Certainly—certainly!"