"I trow it is one that you and I need never fear." "The magistrates have adjudged Ann Linkon to be ducked." "Marry! what hath she done ?" "Divers offences, all petty, but aggravating in themselves.

She is not only a common scold, but a babbling woman, who often hath slandered and scandalized her neighbors, for which her poor husband is often brought into chargeable and vexatious suits and cast in great damages." Hugh gave utterance to a genuine cavalier-like laugh, and, striking his boot-top with his riding-whip, returned: "Marry! but she will make a merry sight soaring through the air like a fisher-bird to be plunged beneath the water." "It will be a goodly sight, Hugh, and one I knew you would wish to see; therefore I sent for you." "You have my thanks; but where is the culprit ?" "They have not arrived with her yet.

Did you come from Greenspring Manor this morn ?" "Yes." "How is Sir William Berkeley ?" "He is well, and still lives in the hope of seeing the king restored to his throne." "Hath he invited our wandering prince to Virginia ?" "Sh--! speak not so loud," said Hugh in an undertone.

"There are some of those Puritans, the cursed Roundheads, near, and it would mean death to Sir William if it were known that he but breathed such thoughts." The two young men walked a little apart from the others and sat down upon the green, mossy banks, where they might converse uninterrupted and still be near enough to witness the ducking when the officers arrived with the victim.
"Keep a still tongue in your head, Roger," said Hugh when they were seated.

"Greenspring Manor is beset with spies, and the Roundheads long for some pretext to hang Sir William for his devotion to our king; but Sir William says that the commonwealth will end with Cromwell and the son of our murdered king will be restored." "The rule of the Roundheads is mild." "Mild, bah!" interrupted Hugh, in contempt.