I knew what I was doing when I went back last time and left him." "Ah, they rather laughed at you then, didn't they ?--hinted you were a bit afraid," said the little man, with a cynical smile.
"They may laugh again, David, if they like; and the man that laughs loudest, let him be the first to come in my place next bout; he'll be welcome." "Well, I must say, this is strange language.

I never talked like that, never.

It's in contempt of duty, nothing less," said Constable David.
"Oh, you're the sort of man that sticks the thing you call duty above everything else--above wife, life, and all the rest of it--and when duty's done with you it generally sticks you below everything else.
I've been a fool in my time, David, but I was never a fool of that sort.

I've never been the dog to drop a good jawful of solids to snap at its shadow.

When I've been that dog I've quietly put my meat down on the plank, and then--There's another break-neck paving-stone--'bowders' you call them.