Those are the numbers master Flowerdew read.' 'Nay, I know not for your horns; but for the rest I say seven tails.

Did not honest master Flowerdew set forth unto us last meeting that the scarlet woman sat upon seven hills--eh?
Have with you there, master Sycamore!' 'Well, for the sake of sound argument, I grant you.

But we ha' got to do with no heads nor no tails, neither--save and except as you may say the sting is in the tail; and then, or I greatly mistake, it's not seven times seven as will serve to count the stings, come of the tails what may.' 'Very true,' said another; 'it be the stings and not the tails we want news of.

But think you his lordship will yield them up without gainsaying to us the messengers of the High Parliament now assembled ?' 'For mine own part,' said John Croning, 'though I fear it come of the old Adam yet left in me, I do count it a sorrowful thing that the earl should be such a vile recusant.

He never fails with a friendly word, or it may be a jest--a foolish jest--but honest, for any one gentle or simple he may meet.