" The company rattled upon
the table with their beer glasses, insisting upon a speech. McTeague
settled obstinately into his chair, very red in the face, shaking his
head energetically.
"Ah, go on!" he exclaimed; "no speech."
"Ah, get up and say somethun, anyhow," persisted Marcus; "you ought to
do it. It's the proper caper."
McTeague heaved himself up; there was a burst of applause; he looked
slowly about him, then suddenly sat down again, shaking his head
hopelessly.
"Oh, go on, Mac," cried Trina.
"Get up, say somethun, anyhow," cried Marcus, tugging at his arm; "you
GOT to."
Once more McTeague rose to his feet.
"Huh!" he exclaimed, looking steadily at the table. Then he began:
"I don' know what to say--I--I--I ain't never made a speech before; I--I
ain't never made a speech before. But I'm glad Trina's won the prize--"
"Yes, I'll bet you are," muttered Marcus.
"I--I--I'm glad Trina's won, and I--I want to--I want to--I want
to--want to say that--you're--all--welcome, an' drink hearty, an' I'm
much obliged to the agent. Trina and I are goin' to be married, an'
I'm glad everybody's here to-night, an' you're--all--welcome, an'
drink hearty, an' I hope you'll come again, an' you're always
welcome--an'--I--an'--an'--That's--about--all--I--gotta say.
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