“No,” said the other. In so surly a tone that the man, after a blank stare, acknowledged it with the retort:

“⁠—Arn’t been eating nothing as has disagreed with you, have you, pardner?”

“Why, yes, I have,” said Gaffer. “I have been swallowing too much of that word, Pardner. I am no pardner of yours.”

“Since when was you no pardner of mine, Gaffer Hexam Esquire?”

“Since you was accused of robbing a man. Accused of robbing a live man!” said Gaffer, with great indignation.

“And what if I had been accused of robbing a dead man, Gaffer?”

“You couldn’t do it.”

“Couldn’t you, Gaffer?”