I've often heard such tales.

Now I know they're all true.

It's a mercy my own poor mother hasn't lived to see where I am to-day.

As for my father, old as he was, if he'd been alive, there'd have been horsewhipping that I do know." After some rather pointless and disjointed remarks from the curates, a sound came from the corner near the door.

It was John's cough.
"Better clear out of this!" John ejaculated.