Bad as you may think him--and he is as skittish and fierce, sure enough, as a young colt---there is good stuff in him; and though he hath, or fancies he hath, the right to abuse every one, by the Lord he will let none others do so! Last week, now, didn't he tell Mrs.Cat that you served her right in the last beating matter?
and weren't they coming to knives, just as in your case?
By my faith, they were.

Ay, and at the "Braund's Head," when some fellow said that you were a bloody Bluebeard, and would murder your wife, stab me if Tom wasn't up in an instant and knocked the fellow down for abusing of you!" The first of these stories was quite true; the second was only a charitable invention of Mr.Wood, and employed, doubtless, for the amiable purpose of bringing the old and young men together.

The scheme partially succeeded; for, though Hayes was not so far mollified towards Tom as to entertain any affection for a young man whom he had cordially detested ever since he knew him, yet he felt more at ease and cheerful regarding himself: and surely not without reason.

While indulging in these benevolent sentiments, Mrs.Catherine and her son arrived, and found, somewhat to their astonishment, Mr.Hayes seated in the back-parlour, as in former times; and they were invited by Mr.Wood to sit down and drink.
We have said that certain bottles of mountain-wine were presented by the Count to Mrs.Catherine: these were, at Mr.Wood's suggestion, produced; and Hayes, who had long been coveting them, was charmed to have an opportunity to drink his fill.

He forthwith began bragging of his great powers as a drinker, and vowed that he could manage eight bottles without becoming intoxicated.
Mr.Wood grinned strangely, and looked in a peculiar way at Tom Billings, who grinned too.