Ned. I shall do nothing of the kind. If he has told you I insulted him, he must have told you, also, that I made love to your sister; and he’s a liar.
Douglas. Liar? This to me?
Ned. Ay, to you. ’Tis you who have turned Will’s head, you who have tempted him to drink, you who, with a lying tongue, now seek to make us quarrel. Bah! you’re a coward! You dare not face me yourself; you dare not ask me to beg your pardon; for, if you did, you know I’d knock you down quicker than I did when you insulted Patty Moore.
Will. But I dare, and mean you shall. So, solemn, pious, temperate Ned Hartshorn, obey at once!
Ned. Will, I’d do anything in reason to oblige you. But I can’t do that.
Will. Then I’ll thrash you within an inch of your life.
Ned. O no, you won’t, Will.
Will. I say I will, sneak, coward, son of a drunkard!
Ned. Careful, Will, careful!