"Why, I'm like some cows; I don't give down my milk without the calf is alongside of me. Now, if you were on this side of the table--" "Which I am," replied Stewart, as he sprang over it, and seizing Jerry by the neck--"Now, Mr Jerry, say a good thing directly." "Well, promise me to understand it. We are just in the reverse situation of England and Scotland, after the battle of Culloden." "What do you mean by that, you wretch?" cried Stewart, whose wrath was kindled by the reference. "Why, I'm in your clutches, just like Scotland was--a conquered country." "You lie, you little blackguard," cried Stewart, pinching Jerry's neck till he forced his mouth open: "Scotland was never conquered." "Well, then," continued Jerry, whose bile was up, as soon as Stewart relaxed his hold; "I'm like King Charles in the hands of the Scotch. How much was it that you sold him for?" Jerry's shrivelled carcase sounded like a drum, from the blow which he received for this second insult to Stewart's idolised native land. As soon as he could recover his speech, "Well, haven't I been very witty? Are you content, or will you have some more? or will you try Prose, and see whether you can draw blood out of a turnip?" Stewart, who seemed disinclined to have any more elegant extracts from Jerry, resumed his former seat by Prose, who appeared to be in deep reflection. "Well, Prose, are you thinking of your friends in Cheap-side?" "And suppose I am, Stewart? We have the same feelings in the city that you have in the heather; and although I do not, like you, pretend to be allied to former kings, yet one may love one's father and mother, brothers and sisters, without being able to trace back to one's great-great-grand-father. I never disputed your high pretensions; why, then, interfere with my humble claims to the common feelings of humanity?" "I am rebuked, Prose," replied Stewart; "you shall have my glass of grog for that speech, for you never made a better. Give me your hand, my good fellow." "I am glad that you, at last, show some symptoms of reason," observed the still indignant Jerry, standing close to the door. "I have some hopes of your Majesty yet, after such an extraordinary concession on your part. You must have great reason to be proud that you are able to trace your pedigree up to a border chieftain, who sallied forth on the foray, when the spurs were dished up for his dinner: or, in plain words, went a cattle stealing, and robbing those who could not resist. It might then be considered a mark of prowess; but times are altered now; and if your celebrated ancestor lived in the present time, why," continued Jerry, pointing his finger under his left ear, "he would receive what he well deserved, that's all." "By Him that made me, get out of my reach, if you do not wish me to murder you!" cried Stewart, pale with rage.