'Swear, Tom, if it relieves you. I think it bad to check an oath or a sneeze.'
'I 'm come to see you on business, my lady, or I shouldn't have troubled you.'
'Malice?'
'You 'll see I don't bear any, my lady.'
'Ah! if you had only sworn roundly twenty-five years ago, what a much younger man you would have been! and a brave capital old friend whom I should not have missed all that time.'
'Come!' cried Old Tom, varying his eyes rapidly between her ladyship's face and the floor, 'you acknowledge I had reason to.'
'Mais, cela va sans dire.'
'Cobblers' sons ain't scholars, my lady.'
'And are not all in the habit of throwing their fathers in our teeth, I hope!'
Old Tom wriggled in his chair. 'Well, my lady, I'm not going to make a fool of myself at my time o' life. Needn't be alarmed now. You've got the bell-rope handy and a husband on the premises.'