If only some one would come along and shoulder him rudely! He laughed ruefully.

He was in a fine mood to make an ass of himself.
He left the bench and strolled round the fountain, his cane behind his back, his chin in his collar.

He had made the circle several times, then he blundered into some one.

The fighting mood was gone now, the walk having calmed him.

He murmured a short apology for his clumsiness and started on, without even looking at the animated obstacle.
"Just a moment, my studious friend." "Wallenstein?
I didn't see you." Carmichael halted.
"That was evident," replied the colonel jestingly.