Well, but did you give no provocation, sir?
It's not likely Mr.Purcel would raise his hand to you if he had not resaved strong provocation at yours." "Sorra word, then, your honor, ever I said to him,--barrin' to tell him that I hoped he'd have compassion on me and my little family, and not drive us to ruin for what I wasn't able to pay.

He then asked me, was that the answer I had for him, and not his money, and he does no more but ups wid his whip and laves me as you see me." "Why, now, you d--d scoundrel!" exclaimed John, "how can you--" "Pardon me, Mr.Purcel," said the magistrate, interrupting him with what he intended to be dignity, "you forget what is due to the court, sir.
There must be no swearing nor abuse here.

The court must be respected, Mr.Purcel." These words brought a sneer of secret triumph upon Hourigan's features, that was unquestionably very provoking.
"I beg to apologize to the court," replied Purcel, "if for a moment I have forgotten what is due to it; but, in fact, your worship, there is not one word of truth in what he says.

His language was insolent and provoking beyond the limits of human patience.

He told me that both my father and myself were dishonest--that we were oppressors of the poor, and blood-suckers; called us hardhearted and beggarly upstarts, and that we would sell our Church and our country for filthy lucre and upstart pride.