"This is a society to which you're not used, although I'll not deny that you could soon learn it.

But the French think we English, whether English English or American English, are inferior in wit and quickness to themselves, and there may be some attempts at baiting the bear before we leave." Robert felt his breath coming a little more quickly, and in the dusk, Willet did not see the glow that appeared in his eyes.

They might try to "bait the bear" but he would be ready.

The new powers that he had found in himself not only accepted the challenge, but craved it.

He was conscious that he was not deficient in wit and quickness himself, and if any follower of Francois Bigot, or if the great Bigot himself tried to make sport of him he might find instead that the ruffler was furnishing sport for the Bostonnais.