The publican looked at a crying man

[Bassim]

I am wondering if my sentences are grammatically correct

The publican looked at a crying man at the bar, and the curiosity took better of him.
"Mate, something bad happened?"
"My father died this morning. Cancer," said the man and sniffled.
"Sorry, mate, " the publican said, regretting for asking in the first place.

 

[teechar]

I am wondering if my sentences are grammatically correct.

The publican looked at the man crying [STRIKE]man[/STRIKE] at the bar, and [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] curiosity [STRIKE]took[/STRIKE] got the better of him.
"Mate, something bad happened?"
"My father died this morning. Cancer." said the man and sniffled.
"Sorry, mate." the publican said, regretting [STRIKE]for asking[/STRIKE] having asked in the first place.

.

 

[Bassim]

teechar,

I am wondering about your use of full stop at the end of the direct speech. I have used a comma, and I think it could also be used in the above sentences. Or am I wrong?

 

[teechar]

No, you're not wrong. That's possible too.