O’Ded. A poacher! Faith that’s honest.
Gamekeeper. I caught him before day-light on the manor. I took away his gun and shot his dog.
O’Ded. That was bravely done. So, you must pamper your long stomach with pheasants and partridges, and be damned to ye! Will you prefer paying five pounds now, or three month’s hard labour in the house of correction?
Countrym. Thank ye, sir, I don’t prefer either, sir.
O’Ded. You must go before the justice. He’ll exhort you, and commit ye.
Countrym. Ees, I do know that extortion and commission, and such like, be the office of the justice; but I’ll have a bit of law, please punch. He ha’ killed my poor dog, that I loved like one o’ my own children, and I’ve gotten six of ’em, Lord bless ’em.
O’Ded. Six dogs!
Countrym. Dogs! No, children, mun.
O’Ded. Six children! Och, the fruitful sinner!
Countrym. My wife be a pains-taking woman, sir. We ha’ had this poor dog from a puppy.