The confusion became tremendous. Glasses were knocked
over. Whiskies and sodas were poured out in libations upon the carpet.
The protests of the barmaids were unheeded or unheard. Julian whirled
Cuckoo into the throng, and Valentine, snapping his long white fingers
like castanets, stamped his feet as if to the measure of a wild music.
Against the wall some loungers looked on in contemptuous amusement, but
by far the greater number of men present were young and eager for any
absurdity, and not a few were half tipsy. These ardently welcomed
anything in the nature of a row, and the romp became general and noisy.
Men danced awkwardly with one another, roaring the latest music-hall
tunes at the pitch of their voices. The women screamed with laughter,
or giggled piercingly as they were banged and trodden on in the tumult.
The noise, penetrating to the promenade, drew the attention of the
audience, many of whom hurried to see what was going on, and the block
round the archways quickly became impenetrable. One or two of the
gigantic chuckers-out forced their way into the throng and seized the
dancers nearest to them, but they were entirely unable to stay the
ridiculous impulse which impelled this mob of young human beings to
capering and yelling.
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