§ 36 Establishing an Identity
It was plain the stranger was suffering from an excess of alcoholic stimulant. He wavered and lurched and wabbled as he ran to catch the trolley car; he slipped and almost fell as he swung aboard; he trampled on the toes of those who rode upon the rear platform and at length when he fell into a seat he struck with considerable violence a somewhat testy gentleman alongside him.
The latter resented being jostled. Probably he had scruples against the use of intoxicants in any form and at any time. He fixed a stern and condemning eye upon the new passenger and of him demanded to know why he did not exercise a little more care when entering a public vehicle.
The person thus reproved, focused his uncertain vision upon the face of the other.
“Dye shee me when I gotta board thish car?” he asked.
“I did.”
“Dye ever shee me before in your who’ life?”
“No.”
“Ever hear an’body call my name?”
“No.”
“Ever hear an’body speak ’bout me?”
“Certainly not.”
“Then how the hell did you know it was me?”