“I’ll come down, if I can convert thee, Wat Kilby.”
“Convert me, Master Peasegood; why, what’s amiss with me?”
“Amiss, thou wicked old reprobate? Why thou’rt an open sinner, and never com’st to church.”
“Eh, but I would if thou’dst let me smoke my pipe by the open door.”
“Then you are repenting of your evil ways.”
“Nay, I’ve nothing to repent of, but a love or two.”
“And spiriting away poor Abel Churr.”
“Nay, parson, I never did; I wish I had,” growled Wat.
“Then that’s as bad.”
“Nay, parson, don’t preach; I arn’t a bad ’un after all. I always tries, and gets along pretty well for a time, but, just as I’ve got as perfect as can be, down comes the devil with a pretty girl, and then I’m done.”