"Then we can go," said I, taking my hat. But he struck it from my hands with his cane.
"And you!" he blazed out at me. "You must poke your stupid yellow head out of the window as if you wanted all Bristol to notice it! Sit down!"
"Mr. Vincott!" I exclaimed angrily.
"Mr. Buckler!" he returned, mimicking my tone, and pulling a grimace. There was indeed no dignity about the man. "It may not have escaped your perceptions that I have some desire to conceal your visit to this town. Would it be too much to ask you to believe that there are reasons for that desire?"
He spoke with a mocking politeness, and waited for me to answer him.
"I suppose there are," I replied; "but I am in the dark as to their nature."
"The chief of them," said he, "is your own security."
"I will risk that," said I, stooping for my hat. "'Tis not worth the suffering which it costs Julian."
"Dear, dear!" he gibed. "Tis strange that so much heart should tarry so long. Let me see! It must be full eight days since Swasfield came to you at Leyden." And he struck my hat once more out of my grasp.
"Mr. Vincott," said I--and my voice trembled as I spoke--"if you have a mind to quarrel with me, I will endeavour to gratify you at a more seasonable time. But I cannot wrangle over the body of my friend. I came hither with all the speed that God vouchsafed me." And I informed him of my journey, and the hindrances which had beset my path.