"That is my name," said Dr. Joyce very quietly. "Will you have the
goodness to state your business with me immediately, and in the fewest
possible words?"
"Hullo! You take that tone with me, do you?" said Jubber, setting his
arms akimbo, and tapping his foot fiercely on the floor; "you're trying
to come Tommy Grand over me already, are you? Very good! I'm the man to
give you change in your own coin--so here goes! What do you mean by
enticing away my Mysterious Foundling? What do you mean by this private
swindle of talent that belongs to my circus?"
"You had better proceed a little," said the rector, more quietly than
before. "Thus far I understand nothing whatever, except that you wish
to behave offensively to me; which, in a person of your appearance, is,
I assure you, of not the slightest consequence. You had much better
save time by stating what you have to say in plain words."
"You want plain words--eh?" cried Jubber, losing his temper. "Then, by
God, you shall have them, and plain enough!"
"Stop a minute," said Doctor Joyce. "If you use oaths in my presence
again, I shall ring for my servant, and order him to show you out of
the house."
"You will?"
"I will, most certainly."
There was a moment's pause, and the blackguard and the gentleman looked
one another straight in the face.
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