“What quarrel was that?” asked Monsey.
“Why, the last fratch of all, when Wilson gat the sneck posset frae Shoulthwaite,” said Matthew.
“I never heard of it,” said the schoolmaster.
“There's nowt much to hear. Ralph and mysel' we were walking up to the Moss together ya day, when we heard Angus and Wilson at a bout of words. Wilson he said to Angus with a gay, bitter sneer, 'Ye'll fain swappit wi' me yet,' said he. 'He'll yoke wi' an unco weird. Thy braw chiel 'ul tryste wi' th' hangman soon, I wat.' And Angus he was fair mad, I can tell ye, and he said to Wilson, 'Thoo stammerin' and yammerin' taistrel, thoo; I'll pluck a lock of thy threep. Bring the warrant, wilt thoo? Thoo savvorless and sodden clod-heed! I'll whip thee with the taws. Slipe, I say, while thoo's weel—slipe!'”
“And Angus would have done it, too, and not the first time nowther,” said little Reuben, with a knowing shake of the head.
“Well, Matthew, what then?” said Monsey.
“Weel, with that Angus he lifted up his staff, and Wilson shrieked oot afore he gat the blow. But Angus lowered his hand and said to him, says he, 'Time eneuf to shriek when ye're strucken.'”
“And when the auld one did get strucken, he could not shriek,” added Reuben.
“We know nowt of that reetly,” said Matthew, “and maybe nivver will.”
“What was that about a warrant?” said Monsey.