CHAPTER XI. "The charm dissolves apace, And as the morning steals upon the night, PETER PARKINS wore a grave, thoughtful look, as he wandered down a lane flanked by two precipitous banks leading to the Hall, engaged in the meditative occupation of nibbling his finger nails. Toby, who trotted mechanically in the rear, endeavoured to imitate the contemplative mood of his master, by occasionally, and at measured distances, squatting on his haunches, and giving three or four deliberate shakes of the head. "And so," said he at length, "Master Mike, you've turned upon your old pal, eh? Ha, ha! I've heard of worms turning when they're trod upon; but you'll find me a worm with a sting in his mouth." "The devil I shall!" replied a voice, and at the same moment down the side of the steep bank the figure of Mike Crouch glided, and he alighted nimbly on his feet within a yard of the astonished razor-grinder. "The devil I shall!" repeated he. "Now's your time, then; sting away." "Let me pass," rejoined Peter. "Not so fast, friend," returned Mike. "I've a little business to settle with you before we part." "Mind," added the razor-grinder, raising a finger cautioningly, "it's felony to stop a subject on the King's highway." 66 Subject!" repeated Mike with a sneer, and diving his hands into the pockets of his trou sers. "You're a pretty sort of a subject, aren't ye? I'm in a very great mind to spoil some of your beauty." "Oh, remember!" supplicated Peter, greatly altering his tone and manner," that I'm a poor old man! Spare my bones, Mike," continued he, trembling like an aspen leaf, "for old acquaintance sake!" "Ha!" ejaculated the earth-stopper. "Like a great many other folk I've heard of-and spicy Christians too in their own conceit-you can pray when it suits your purpose. "But our betters tell us to do so," replied Peter. "Then our betters are the better hypocrites, that's all," rejoined Mike. "But listen," he continued, to what more concerns ye." 66 "To be sure," returned the razor-grinder ; "I'm quite ready." "You're quite certain o' that?" said the earth-stopper, banteringly. "Quite," was the short reply. "What a surprising change a little whole some dread of a good, sound drubbin' will make, sometimes!" added the earth-stopper, with an inward chuckle. "In me it always had the same effect," observed Peter. "I never waited for the real thing itself." "Some would call that prudence," responded Mike. "Others, rank cowardice." "I'm not nice to a shade what either I, my sayings, or doings are called," rejoined the razor-grinder; and never was." "You're a rogue by nature," returned Mike. "And," Peter Parkins hesitated. "So am I, you'd say, if you had the pluck," added the earth-stopper. "I would," briefly responded Peter, at the same time expressing a little trepidation at his own temerity. "Don't be afeard," rejoined Mike; "we sha'n't growl over that bone. Haven't you heard," continued he, "of the risks rogues run when they quarrel among themselves?" "Honest men come by their rights," replied the razor-grinder. "A shrewd guess," returned Mike. "Well!" continued he, "the like end may come of our brawl if we're fools enough to let it." "I didn't seek the quarrel," added Peter. "It was your making, from first to last." 66 Supposing I say it was, what then?" said the earth-stopper. "It would go a long way towards rubbing the hackles of my temper down again," responded Peter. "Good," rejoined Mike. "And what would smooth 'em altogether as before?" inquired he. 66 My share of the money you promised me," replied the razor-grinder. "You shall have it," rejoined Mike, "A fair promise," returned Peter Parkins, with twinkling eyes. "But when ?" "Before sun-down," replied his companion. "Ha?" ejaculated the razor-grinder, peering |