Instantly McTeague exploded in a roar of laughter.

The man was intoxicated, his hat was knocked in, one end of his collar was unfastened and stuck up into his face, his watch-chain dangled from his pocket, and a yellow satin slipper was tied to a button-hole of his vest; his nose was vermilion, one eye was black and blue.

After a short dialogue with the girl, a third actor appeared.

He was dressed like a little boy, the girl's younger brother.

He wore an immense turned-down collar, and was continually doing hand-springs and wonderful back somersaults.