"More than two thousand," I remarked.
"Ay, mooar than two thousand."
Here there was a pause for a minute in our conversation, when he blurted out with startling suddenness:
"Aw'm one o' th' mad 'uns!"
The information came upon me so unexpectedly, and was conveyed with such emphasis, and in such gruesome manner, that I could not help an involuntary start and an instinctive glance towards the waiting-room door to see whether it was open. Collecting myself, and pushing my chair back a bit to put a little more distance between us, I resumed:
"You're one o' th' mad 'uns, are you?"
"Ay, aw am."
"You don't look like it, friend," I said.
"Ay, but aw am, though!"
"Well, and how do you happen to be here?" I inquired.