"Come, 'twould be a wonnerful thing to tell as I'd took snuff out o' my very own box wi' a man as 'ad fou't wi' the devil—come—tak' a pinch, Peter," he pleaded. Whereupon, to please him, I did so, and immediately fell most violently a-sneezing.
"And," pursued the old man when the paroxysm was over, "did ye see 'is 'orns, Peter, an' 'is—"
"Why, no, Ancient; you see, he happened to be wearing a bell-crowned hat and a long coat."
"A 'at an' coat!" said the old man in a disappointed tone—"a 'at,
Peter?"
"Yes," I nodded.
"To be sure, the Scripters say as 'e goeth up an' down like a ravening lion seekin' whom 'e may devour."
"Yes," said I, "but more often, I think, like a fine gentleman!"
"I never heerd tell o' the devil in a bell-crowned 'at afore, but p'r'aps you 'm right, Peter—tak' another pinch o' snuff."
"No more," said I, shaking my head.
"Why, it's apt to ketch you a bit at first, but, Lord! Peter, for a man as 'as fou't wi' the devil—"