On a sudden he is vividly cognizant of his overwhelming spiritual worth.

Dazed in the first moment of this flooding consciousness, he is presently to be heard recalling instances of his noble conduct under difficulty, of righteous fortitude under strain.
Especially does he find himself endowed with the antique virtues--with courage and a rugged fidelity, a stainless purity of motive, a fond and measureless generosity.
To this stage the libations of Potts had now brought him.

He began to refresh the crowd with comments upon his own worth, interspersed with kindly but hurt appreciations of the great world's lack of discernment.
He besought and defied each gentleman present to recall an occasion, however trivial, when his conduct had fallen short of the loftiest standards.

Especially were they begged to cite an instance when he had deviated in the least degree from a line of strictest loyalty to any friend.

Big Joe Kestril was overcome at this.