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In The Lion's Mouth.
167

as you did t'other day, when Oi did but ask for a smack of the lips. The day yon cursed lieutenant tried to come atween us, you mind, Ann?"

"Ay, I remember," said Ann, who, with native intelligence, spoke much better than did any of her companions, and, indeed, nearly as well as the country gentlefolk. "I played the poor lad a neat trick, and left him to get back through the mud of the lanes as best he could."

"Serve him roight, too!" retorted Ben, roughly. "Oi should be main sorry to think you had any sneaking loiking for a king's man, Ann; a lass of spirit loike you!"

"I've no liking for anybody," said Ann, impatiently; "but my own kin and my own kind. Liking, indeed! What dost take me for, to speak as if I'd aught of a feeling of kindness for the young rascal that's done more harm to us in a month than the rest of the king's men have in half a year!"

"That's roight, lass; spoke with spirit. Spoke loike my cousin, my good cousin, that's to be my woife!"

"Time enough for talk of that, Ben, when