God knows I should be glad, on almost any terms, to be fairly free from your eternal croakings--never at rest, never satisfied, unless at some new deviltry and ill deed.

If I did give you the first lessons in your education, Guy, you have long since gone beyond your master; and I'm something disposed to think that Old Nick himself must have taken up your tuition, where, from want of corresponding capacity, I was compelled to leave it off." And the landlord laughed at his own humor, in despite of the hyena-glare shot forth from the eye of the savage he addressed.

He continued:-- "But, Guy, I'm not for letting the youth off--that's as you please.

You have a grudge against him, and may settle it to your own liking and in your own way.

I have nothing to say to that.