The table had been thrust upon one side; a South
Sea merchant was discoursing music from a mouth-organ
in one corner; and in the middle of the floor Johnson
and a fellow-seaman, their arms clasped about each
other's bodies, somewhat heavily danced. The room was
both cold and close; a jet of gas, which continually
menaced the heads of the performers, shed a coarse
illumination; the mouth-organ sounded shrill and
dismal; and the faces of all concerned were church-like
in their gravity. It were, of course, indelicate to
interrupt these solemn frolics; so we edged ourselves
to chairs, for all the world like belated comers in a
concert-room, and patiently waited for the end. At
length the organist, having exhausted his supply of
breath, ceased abruptly in the middle of a bar. With
the cessation of the strain the dancers likewise came
to a full stop, swayed a moment, still embracing, and
then separated, and looked about the circle for
applause.
"Very well danced!" said one; but it appears the
compliment was not strong enough for the performers,
who (forgetful of the proverb) took up the tale in
person.
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