Malcolm drew back towards the wall. The customer who'd spoken was called George Boatwright, a high-coloured and truculent boatman whom Mr Polstead had had to throw out of the Trout half a dozen times; but he was a fair man, and he'd never spoken roughly to Malcolm. The silence in the bar now was profound, and even customers in other parts of the inn had become aware that something was happening, and had come to the doorway to watch
Malcolm retreated to the wall as a confrontation unfolded in the bar. The customer, George Boatwright, known for his aggressive demeanor, had been ejected from the Trout multiple times by Mr. Polstead. Despite his reputation, Boatwright had treated Malcolm with respect, which was notable given the tension in the atmosphere. The situation had escalated to a point of silence, drawing the attention of other patrons who lingered in doorways, intrigued by the unfolding drama.
The tension in the bar highlighted the complexities of social dynamics among the characters. George Boatwright, despite his past behavior, showed a certain level of fairness towards Malcolm, making the situation even more nuanced. As the onlookers gathered, the silence echoed the anticipation of what might transpire next, emphasizing that this interaction was significant enough to capture the interest of the entire inn.
