when I wish all joy and
happiness to this happy pair, happy in the possession of a snug
little fortune, and happy--happy in--" he finished with a sudden
inspiration--"in the possession of each other; I drink to the health,
wealth, and happiness of the future bride and groom. Let us drink
standing up." They drank with enthusiasm. Marcus was carried away with
the excitement of the moment.

"Outa sight, outa sight," he vociferated, clapping his hands. "Very well
said. To the health of the bride. McTeague, McTeague, speech, speech!"

In an instant the whole table was clamoring for the dentist to speak.
McTeague was terrified; he gripped the table with both hands, looking
wildly about him.

"Speech, speech!" shouted Marcus, running around the table and
endeavoring to drag McTeague up.

"No--no--no," muttered the other. "No speech." 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." He sat
down, wiping his forehead, amidst tremendous applause.

Soon after that the company pushed back from the table and relaxed into
couples and groups. The men, with the exception of Old Grannis, began
to smoke, the smell of their tobacco mingling with the odors of ether,
creosote, and stale bedding, which pervaded the "Pa