That's right! You don't seem to wince at the brandy.

That's right!--well done! All down in two pulls.

Now you look like a reasonable being! If the conduct of Lavengro with regard to drink is open to little censure, assuredly the use which he makes of his fists is entitled to none at all.

Because he has a pair of tolerably strong fists, and knows to a certain extent how to use them, is he a swaggerer or oppressor?
To what ill account does he turn them?
Who more quiet, gentle, and inoffensive than he?
He beats off a ruffian who attacks him in a dingle; has a kind of friendly tussle with Mr.Petulengro, and behold the extent of his fistic exploits.
Ay, but he associates with prize-fighters; and that very fellow, Petulengro, is a prize-fighter, and has fought for a stake in a ring.
Well, and if he had not associated with prize-fighters, how could he have used his fists?
Oh, anybody can use his fists in his own defence, without being taught by prize-fighters.

Can they?
Then why does not the Italian, or Spaniard, or Affghan use his fists when insulted or outraged, instead of having recourse to the weapons which he has recourse to?
Nobody can use his fists without being taught the use of them by those who have themselves been taught, no more than any one can "whiffle" without being taught by a master of the art.