"You are paid back in your own coin, Master Prater," laughed the squire.
"I came to this living lawfully," replied Master Burnbridge. "Master Noel had behaved in a traitorous manner, and so by law he was ejected as a papist and a dealer in treasonous things. But there is no law against me, and I declare that you have behaved unlawfully."
"I?" cried the squire.
"Yes, you, Henry Wellwood—you whom I have so often rebuked for your riotous living and your drunken habits."
"A brawler! a brawler!" cried the squire, "Take him into custody constables, and clap him into gaol, as well as all the others who take his part."
At this I could no longer hold my peace.
"Master Wellwood, methinks this will sound bad when it reaches the king's ears," I cried.
"King's ears! And who will take it to him," he cried, turning angrily on me.
"I will," I cried.
"You will, and who are you?"