Marcus applauded vociferously, shouting, "Good work!" McTeague reached for the money and put it in his vest pocket, nodding his head with a knowing air.
Then suddenly his face grew purple, his jaws moved convulsively, he pawed at his cheeks with both hands.

The billiard ball had slipped into his mouth easily enough; now, however, he could not get it out again.
It was terrible.

The dentist rose to his feet, stumbling about among the dogs, his face working, his eyes starting.

Try as he would, he could not stretch his jaws wide enough to slip the ball out.

Marcus lost his wits, swearing at the top of his voice.