The scene which then ensued is dreadful to even reflect upon, after
the lapse of so many years. Fodder backed into the street immediately,
but he had accomplished the insult to O'Brallaghan. That gentleman ran
out furiously, shears in hand, and with these instruments it seemed to
be his intention to sever the epiglottis of Mr. Jinks, or at least his
ears.

But, as on a former occasion, when Mr. Jinks threatened to rid the
earth of a scoundrel and a villain, the execution of this scheme was
prevented by the interposition of a third party; so on the present
occasion did the neighbors interfere and quiet the combatants.

Ralph perfected the reconciliation by declaring that Fodder was
the most vicious and dangerous of animals, and that no one could
rationally wonder at his conduct on this occasion.

O'Brallaghan thereupon observed that he despised Mr. Jinks too much to
touch him, and would forgive him; and so he elbowed his way through
the crowd of gossips and re-entered his shop, scowling at, and being
scowled at by, the severe Mr. Jinks.

Ralph also embraced the opportunity to slip through the crowd, and
hasten round a corner; having achieved which movement, he leaned
against a pump, and laughed until two babies playing on the side-walk
nearly choked themselves with marbles as they gazed at him. Then
chuckling to himself, the young-worthy returned toward the tavern,
leaving Mr. Jinks to his fate.

CHAPTER LV.

WOMAN TRAPS LAID BY MR. JINKS.

No sooner had O'Brallaghan retreated into his store, than Mr. Jinks
cast after him defiant words and gestures, calling on the crowd to
take notice that O'Brallaghan had ignominiously yielded ground, and
declined his, Mr. Jinks', proposition to have a combat.

If any wonder is felt at Mr. Jinks' bravery, we may dispel it,
probably, by explaining that Mr. O'Brallaghan had two or three months
before been bound over in a large sum to keep the peace of the
commonwealth against the inhabitants of the said commonwealth,
and especially that portion of them who dwelt in the borough of
Winchester; which fact Mr. Jinks was well acquainted with, and shaped
his conduct by. If there was anything which O'Brallaghan preferred to
a personal encounter with fists or shillelahs, that object was money;
and Mr. Jinks knew that O'Brallaghan would not touch him.

Therefore Mr. Jinks sent words of defiance and menace after the
retreating individual, and said to the crowd, with dignified ca