The lawyer, immersed in visions of grog and glory, rhapsodized
perpetually and clapped his hands. Blundell, drunkenly happy, at every
discharge of the current humor, made an abortive attempt to chuckle, the
ineffectual halloo gurgling away in the abysses of his mighty throat;
until, at length, his head settled down supinely upon his breast, his
eyes were closed, and the hour of his victory had gone by; though, even
then, his huge jaws opening at intervals for the outward passage of
something which by courtesy might be considered a laugh, attested the
still anxious struggles of the inward spirit, battling with the
weaknesses of the flesh.
The example of a leader like Blundell had a most pernicious effect upon
the uprightness of the greater part of the company. Having the sanction
of authority, several others, the minor spirits it is true, settled down
under their chairs without a struggle. The survivors made some
lugubrious efforts at a triumph over their less stubborn companions, but
the laborious and husky laugh was but a poor apology for the proper
performance of this feat.
Pages:
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174