Thomas Hayes considered a moment. "Well, I think the Squire was walking rather the smartest of the two."
"Did the pedlar seem likely to overtake him?"
"Nay. Ye see, Dame, Squire he walked straight on; but the pedlar he took both sides of the road at oust, as the saying is."
The Prisoner. Forgive me, Thomas, but I don't know what you mean.
Hayes (compassionately). How should ye? You are never the worse for liquor, the likes of you.
The Prisoner (very keenly). Oh, he was in liquor, was he?
Hayes. Come, Dame, you do brew good ale at Hernshaw Castle. Ye needn't go to deny that; for, Lord knows, 'tis no sin; and a poor fellow may be jolly; yet not, to say, drunk.
The Judge (sternly). Witness, attend, and answer directly.
The Prisoner. Nay, my lord, 'tis a plain country body, and means no ill. Good Thomas, be so much my friend as to answer plainly. Was the man drunk or sober?
Hayes. All I know is he went from one side of the road to t'other.