pitiful, lying, sneaking cur,
and that she would go where she pleased. Mr. Hayes rejoined that if she
said much more he would take a stick to her. Mr. Wood whispered, "And
serve her right." Mrs. Hayes thereupon swore she had stood his cowardly
blows once or twice before, but that if ever he did so again, as sure as
she was born, she would stab him. Mr. Wood said, "Curse me, but I like
her spirit."

Mr. Hayes took another line of argument, and said, "The neighbours would
talk, madam."

"Ay, that they will, no doubt," said Mr. Wood.

"Then let them," said Catherine. "What do we care about the neighbours?
Didn't the neighbours talk when you sent Widow Wilkins to gaol? Didn't
the neighbours talk when you levied on poor old Thomson? You didn't mind
THEN, Mr. Hayes."

"Business, ma'am, is business; and if I did distrain on Thomson, and
lock up Wilkins, I think you knew about it as much as I."

"I'faith, I believe you're a pair," said Mr. Wood.

"Pray, sir, keep your tongue to yourself. Your opinion isn't asked
anyhow--no, nor your company wanted neither," cried Mrs. Catherine, with
proper spirit.

At which remark Mr. Wood only whistled.

"I have asked this here gentleman to pass this evening along with me.
We've been drinking together, ma'am."

"That we have", said Mr. Wood, looking at Mrs. Cat with the most perfect
good-humour.

"I say, ma'am, that we've been a-drinking together; and when we've been
a-drinking together, I say that a man is my friend. Doctor Wood is my
friend, madam--the Reverend Doctor Wood. We've passed the evening in
company, talking about politics, madam--politics and riddle-iddle-igion.
We've not been flaunting in tea-gardens, and ogling the men."

"It's a lie!" shrieked Mrs. Hayes. "I went with Tom--you know I did: the
boy wouldn't let me rest till I promised to go."

"Hang him, I hate him," said Mr. Hayes: "he's always in my way."

"He's the only friend I have in the world, and the only being I care a
pin for," said Catherine.

"He's an impudent idle good-for-nothing scoundrel, and I hope to see him
hanged!" shouted Mr. Hayes. "And pray, madam, whose carriage was that as
you came home in? I warrant you paid something for the ride--ha, ha!"

"Another lie!" screamed Cat, and clutched hold of a supper-knife. "Say
it again, John Hayes, and, by ------ I'll do for you."

"Do for me? Hang me," said Mr. Hayes, flourishing a stick, and perfectly
pot-valiant, "do you think I care for a basta