“Rooney barking!—why, what does that mean?”
“They always bark for a day or two after they’re bit, if the infection comes first from the dog.”
“You are surely not speaking of hydrophobia?” said I, my hair actually bristling with horror and consternation.
“Ain’t I?” replied he; “maybe you’ve guessed it, though.”
“And you have the malady on you at present?” said I trembling for the answer.
“This is the ninth day since I took to biting,” said he, gravely.
“And with such a propensity, sir, do you think yourself warranted in travelling in a public coach, exposing others——”
“You’d better not raise your voice that way. If I’m roused it’ll be worse for ye, that’s all.”
“Well, but, is it exactly prudent, in your present delicate state, to undertake a journey?”