

Kept you the womans pig for amusement?

The man answered sharply--

Nought else, good sir--I tell thee twas but a jest.

I do begin to believe thee, said Hendon, with a perplexing mixture of
mockery and half-conviction in his tone; but tarry thou here a
moment whilst I run and ask his worship--for nathless, he being a man
experienced in law, in jests, in--

He was moving away, still talking; the constable hesitated, fidgeted,
spat out an oath or two, then cried out--

Hold, hold, good sir--prithee wait a little--the judge!  Why, man, he
hath no more sympathy with a jest than hath a dead corpse!--come, and we
will speak further.