stirred somewhat.

"Indeed!" cried Fullbil. Then he triumphantly added: "Then, sir, we
are proud to have among us one so manifestly capable of giving us
instruction."

There was a loud shout of laughter at this sally, and I was very
uncomfortable down to my toes; but I resolved to hold a brave face,
and pretended that I was not minding their sneers. However, it was
plain enough that old Fullbil had made me the butt of the evening.

"Sir," said the dramatist Bobbs, looking at me, "I understand that in
Ireland pigs sit at table with even the best families."

"Sir," said the critic, Fancher, looking at me, "I understand that in
Ireland the chastity of the women is so great that no child is born
without a birthmark in the shape of the initials of the legal husband
and father."

"Sir," said old Fullbil, "I understand that in Ireland people go naked
when it rains, for fear of wetting their clothes."

Amid the uproarious merriment provoked by their speeches I sat in
silence. Suddenly the embarrassed little scientist, Doctor Chord,
looked up at me with a fine friendly sympathy. "A glass with you,
sir," he said, and as we nodded our heads solemnly over the rims I
felt that there had come to my help one poor little frightened friend.
As for my first acquaintance, he, seeing me attacked not only by the
redoubtable Fullbil, but also by the formidable Bobbs and the
dangerous Fancher, had immediately begun to pretend that never in his
life had he spoken to me.

Having a great knowledge of Irish character I could see that trouble
was brewing for somebody, but I resolved to be very backward, for I
hesitated to create a genuine disturbance in these philosophical
circles. However, I was saved this annoyance in a strange manner. The
door opened, and a newcomer came in, bowing right and left to his
acquaintances, and finally taking a seat near Fullbil. I recognized
him instantly; he was Sir Edmund Flixton, the gentleman who had had
some thought of fighting me in Bath, but who had refrained from it
upon hearing that I had worsted Forister.

However, he did not perceive me at that time. He chattered with
Fullbil, telling him evidently some very exciting news, for I heard
the old man ejaculate. "By my soul, can it be possible?" Later Fullbil
related some amusing things to Flixton, and, upon an inquiry from
Flixton, I was pointed out to him. I saw Flixton's face change; he
spoke hastily to old Fullbil, who turned pale as death. Swift