But I have as much friendship for Henry Smith as he for Oliver Proudfute.

I swear by St.John, I will not fight in this quarrel to thy prejudice; so, having said so, I am beyond the reach of temptation, since thou wouldst not have me mansworn, though it were to fight twenty duels." "Hark thee," said the smith, "acknowledge thou art afraid, Oliver: tell the honest truth, at once, otherwise I leave thee to make the best of thy quarrel." "Nay, good gossip," replied the bonnet maker, "thou knowest I am never afraid.

But, in sooth, this is a desperate ruffian; and as I have a wife--poor Maudie, thou knowest--and a small family, and thou--" "And I," interrupted Henry, hastily, "have none, and never shall have." "Why, truly, such being the case, I would rather thou fought'st this combat than I." "Now, by our halidome, gossip," answered the smith, "thou art easily gored! Know, thou silly fellow, that Sir Patrick Charteris, who is ever a merry man, hath but jested with thee.

Dost thou think he would venture the honour of the city on thy head, or that I would yield thee the precedence in which such a matter was to be disputed?
Lackaday, go home, let Maudie tie a warm nightcap on thy head, get thee a warm breakfast and a cup of distilled waters, and thou wilt be in ease tomorrow to fight thy wooden dromond, or soldan, as thou call'st him, the only thing thou wilt ever lay downright blow upon." "Ay, say'st thou so, comrade ?" answered Oliver, much relieved, yet deeming it necessary to seem in part offended.

"I care not for thy dogged humour; it is well for thee thou canst not wake my patience to the point of falling foul.