But Mr Clam's observation, whatever it was—and it was evidently not very complimentary to his travelling companion—was interrupted by the entrance of the happy party from Chatterton's rooms.
Mr Clam looked first at the colonel and Captain Hope, and Mrs Smith—but they were so busy in their own conversation, that they did not observe him. Then followed Major M'Toddy, Captain Smith, and Mr Chatterton.
"Here's our civil friend," said the Major—"amicas noster, as a body may say."
"Oh, by Jove!" said Mr Chatterton, "I ought to teach this fellow a lesson in natural history."
"He's the scientific naturalist that called you popinjay," continued the major—"ludit convivia miles, as a body may say."
"He's the fellow that refused to be my friend, and told me some foolish story of his flirtations with a lady he met in the coach," added Captain Smith.
"Gentlemen," said Mr Clam, "I'm here in search of information; will you have the kindness to tell me what we have all been fighting, and quarrelling, and whispering and threatening about for the last two hours? My esteemed and talented neighbour, the author of 'Women's Dignity developed in Dialogues'"—
"May gang to the deevil," interposed Major M'Toddy—abeat in malam crucem, as a body may say—We've no time for havers, i prae, sequar, as a body may say. What's the number of her room?"
"No. 14," said the Captain, and the three gentlemen passed on.
"Her room!" said Mr Clam, "another lady! Waiter!"