The gentlemen here shook hands very cordially—
"Well, that's a rum way," said Mr Clam, "of asking a fellow to go out and be shot at. But this whole place is a mystery. I'll listen, however, and find out what this is all about."
"And noo, Captain Smith, let me say a word in your private ear."
"Privateer! that's a sort of ship," said Mr Clam.
"I hate eaves-droppers," continued the Major, with another glance at Mr Clam—"odi profanum vulgus, as a body may say—and a minute's talk will maybe explain matters."
"I doubt the power of a minute's talk for any such purpose," said Captain Smith, with a smile; "but," going a few yards further from Mr Clam at the same time—"I shall listen to you with pleasure."
"Weel, then, I canna deny—convenio, as a body may say—that in the first instance, you played rather a severe trick on Mr Chatterton."
"I play a trick!" exclaimed Captain Smith; "I don't understand you. But proceed, I beg. I will not interrupt you."
"But then, on the other hand, it's not to be denied that Mr Chatterton's method of showing his anger was highly reprehensible."
"His anger, Major M'Toddy!"