These old hags shall no longer vex you, good Master Nicholas.

Leave them to me, and doubt not I will bring them to condign punishment." "You will do us good service then, Master Potts," replied Nicholas.

"But since you are so learned in the matter of witchcraft, resolve me, I pray you, how it is, that women are so much more addicted to the practice of the black art than our own sex." "The answer to the inquiry hath been given by our British Solomon," replied Potts, "and I will deliver it to you in his own words.

'The reason is easy,' he saith; 'for as that sex is frailer than man is, so it is easier to be entrapped in those gross snares of the devil, as was overwell proved to be true, by the serpent's deceiving of Eva at the beginning, which makes him the homelier with that sex sensine.'" "A good and sufficient reason, Master Potts," said Nicholas, laughing; "is it not so, Mistress Nutter ?" "Ay, marry, if it satisfies you," she answered, drily.

"It is of a piece with the rest of the reasoning of the royal pedant, whom Master Potts styles the British Solomon." "I only give the learned monarch the title by which he is recognised throughout Christendom," rejoined Potts, sharply.
"Well, there is comfort in the thought, that I shall never be taken for a wizard," said the squire.
"Be not too sure of that, good Master Nicholas," returned Potts.