These he would make haste to cap with some of the exploits of Wallace, the only hero with whom he had the least acquaintance.

His enthusiasm was genuine and pretty.

When he learned we were going to Scotland, 'Well, then,' he broke out, 'I'll see where Wallace lived!' And presently after, he fell to moralising.
'It's a strange thing, sir,' he began, 'that I seem somehow to have always the wrong sow by the ear.

I'm English after all, and I glory in it.

My eye! don't I, though! Let some of your Frenchies come over here to invade, and you'll see whether or not! Oh, yes, I'm English to the backbone, I am.