Why, the young beggar might summon him for assault.

No; he had a better idea.

He would put in a word at the proper quarter, so that every recruiting sergeant in the district should have orders to stop him at every opportunity.
"I shouldn't do that," said I.
"Then, I don't know what the deuce I can do," said Sir Anthony.
As I didn't know, either, our colloquy was fruitless.

Eventually Sir Anthony said: "Perhaps it's likely, after all, that Gedge may offend young Oxford's fastidiousness.

It can't be long before he discovers Gedge to be nothing but a vulgar, blatant wind-bag; and then he may undergo some reaction." I agreed.