Sometimes it seems a twelvemonth, and sometimes it seems an hour.' 'Cite his name,' said the Counsellor, with his eyes still rolling inwards.
'Master John Ridd, as I understand.

Counsellor, we have heard of him often; a worthy man and a peaceful one, who meddled not with our duties.
Now, if any of our boys have been rough, they shall answer it dearly.
And yet I can scarce believe it.

For the folk about these parts are apt to misconceive of our sufferings, and to have no feeling for us.
Counsellor, you are our record, and very stern against us; tell us how this matter was.' 'Oh, Counsellor!' my mother cried; 'Sir Counsellor, you will be fair: I see it in your countenance.

Only tell me who it was, and set me face to face with him, and I will bless you, sir, and God shall bless you, and my children.' The square man with the long grey beard, quite unmoved by anything, drew back to the door and spoke, and his voice was like a fall of stones in the bottom of a mine.
'Few words will be enow for this.

Four or five of our best-behaved and most peaceful gentlemen went to the little market at Porlock with a lump of money.