"What'd you come for, anyway ?" he asked suddenly.
"Well, I had some news I was asked to fetch in." "Get it out of you then." "See here now, Mr.Sampson, the fact is I'm a tender-hearted fellow.

I hate to hurt people's feelin's.

And if I was to spring this news in Mr.
Wright's hearin', why, such a sensitive, high-tempered gentleman as he would go plumb off his nut." Unconcealed sarcasm was the dominant note in that speech.

Wright flared up, yet he was eagerly curious.

Sampson, probably, thought I was only a little worse for drink, and but for the way I rubbed Wright he would not have tolerated me at all.
"What's this news?
You needn't be afraid of my feelings," said Wright.
"Ain't so sure of that," I drawled.