There were the brothers Rowle to talk to ; Mr. Grimstone to shake my hand ; Mr. Ruddle to chat with about the success of the machine, and about Lister, concerning whom he made a significant motion, turning his hand into a drinking-vessel, and shaking his head.
said Tom, laughing ; and then my attention was taken up in a dozen ways.  There were the brothers Rowle to talk to ; Mr. Grimstone to shake my hand ; Mr. Ruddle to chat with about the success of the machine, and about Lister, concerning whom he made a significant motion, turning his hand into a drinking-vessel, and shaking his head.  Then there was a hitch.