I care little for a wasp's sting, yet I will not allow the insect to come near me if I have warning." Conachar smiled contemptuously.

"I meant thee no harm," he said.

"My father's son did thee but too much honour to spill such churl's blood.

I will pay you for it by the drop, that it may be dried up, and no longer soil my fingers." "Peace, thou bragging ape!" said the smith: "the blood of a true man cannot be valued in gold.

The only expiation would be that thou shouldst come a mile into the Low Country with two of the strongest galloglasses of thy clan; and while I dealt with them, I would leave thee to the correction of my apprentice, little Jankin." Here Catharine interposed.