Monty drank off the contents of the tumbler in two long, delicious gulps! Then he flung the horn upon the floor and laughed aloud.
"That's better," he cried, "that's better! What an ass you are, Trent! To imagine that a drain like that would have any effect at all, save to put life into a man! Bah! what do you know about it ?" Trent did not raise his head.

He went on with his solitary game and, to all appearance, paid no heed to his companion's words.

Monty was not in the humour to be ignored.

He flung himself on the ground opposite to his companion.
"What a slow-blooded sort of creature you are, Trent!" he said.

"Don't you ever drink, don't you ever take life a little more gaily ?" "Not when I am carrying my life in my hands," Trent answered grimly.