However, I made no reply; I would not bandy words with a raven.

The adversary waited a while, with his shoulders still lifted, his head thrust down between them, and his keen bright eye fixed on me; then he threw out two or three more insults, which I could not understand, further than that I knew a portion of them consisted of language not used in church.
I still made no reply.

Now the adversary raised his head and called.

There was an answering croak from a little distance in the wood--evidently a croak of inquiry.

The adversary explained with enthusiasm, and the other raven dropped everything and came.