Amidst the general hum of mirth and conversation that ensued, there was a little man with a puffy say-nothing-to-me,-or-I’ll-contradict-you sort of countenance, who remained very quiet; occasionally looking round him when the conversation slackened, as if he contemplated putting in something very weighty; and now and then bursting into a short cough of inexpressible grandeur. At length, during a moment of comparative silence, the little man called out in a very loud, solemn voice⁠—

“ Mr. Luffey!”

Everybody was hushed into a profound stillness as the individual addressed, replied⁠—

“Sir!”

“I wish to address a few words to you, Sir, if you will entreat the gentlemen to fill their glasses.”