Chapter 9
THE MAN IN SPECTACLES"BURGUNDY is a jolly thing," said the Professor sadly, as he set
his glass down.
"You don't look as if it were," said Syme; "you drink it as if
it were medicine."
"You must excuse my manner," said the Professor dismally, "my
position is rather a curious one. Inside I am really bursting with
boyish merriment; but I acted the paralytic Professor so well, that
now I can't leave off. So that when I am among friends, and have no
need at all to disguise myself, I still can't help speaking slow
and wrinkling my forehead—just as if it were my forehead. I can be
quite happy, you understand, but only in a paralytic sort of way.
The most buoyant exclamations leap up in my heart, but they come
out of my mouth quite different. You should hear me say, 'Buck up
