This page has been validated.
ELEANOR'S FLIGHT.
137

thou has far o'ermuch to say about thy cousin, Jane Bashpoole. It's likely thy wife is a bit jealous of her, and Eleanor's feelings ought to be more to thee than thy cousin Jane's and all of t' Bashpoole lot together."

"I made what apology seemed most truthful to me, Burley; and I am the last man in the world to sneak out of any quarrel. If you push me too far you will find that out."

"Thou can't frighten me, Aske."

"I don't want to frighten you. Will you send my wife home?"

"Nay, then I won't!"

"You are harboring a wrong, sir; and I could force you to do right."

"Could ta? Do it, then. I'm harboring thy wife. If she's a wrong, thou made her one. And as for forcing me to do anything I don't want to do, try it. Thou will find thou hes got t' wrong bull by t' horns."

"I say your conduct is shameful, sir; ungentlemanly and unfatherly."

"I say thou art a liar. I say it again and again! Strike me with that whip thou art fingering if ta dares to. I'll break it to bits ooer thee if ta does."