"You forget, man," said Murphy, "this is not a case for action of damages, but a felony—hanging matter."
"Sure enough," said Jack.
"Doctor, will you feel his pulse?" said Murphy.
The doctor did as he was required, and assumed a very serious countenance. "'T is a bad business, sir—his wounds are mortifying already."
Upon this announcement, there was a general retreat from the bed, round which they had been crowding too close for the carrying on of the joke; and Mrs. Fay ran for a shovel of hot cinders, and poured vinegar over them, to fumigate the room.
"A very proper precaution, Mrs. Fay," said the doctor, with imperturbable gravity.
"That villainous smoke is choking me," said Jack Horan.
"Better that, sir, than have a pestilence in the house," said Growling.
"I'll leave the place," said Jack Horan.
"And I, too," said Doyle.