"Everybody," said Sim, who was standing on a wall about five feet high, his plaistered face giving him rather a grotesque aspect. "Everybody says it." "No," roared Joe, "it's you as says it, you lying, chattering magpie. Howd thee tongue, or I'll--" He seized the speaker by the legs, and had him down in an instant, clutched by the throat, and began shaking him violently. "Go on," said Sim, who this time preserved his presence of mind. "I aint the first paytriot as has been a martyr to his cause; kill me if you like." "Kill thee, thou noisy starnel of a man! Say as it's a lie again your maister, or I'll shake thee till thou dost." "I wean't say it's a lie," cried Sim. "Ask anybody if it aint true." Joe Banks looked round furiously, and a chorus broke out of, "It's true, lad; it's true." "There," cried Sim, triumphantly. "What hev you to say to that? Ask Tom Podmore what he thinks." "I will," cried Joe Banks, who was somewhat staggered by the unanimity of opinion. "Tom Podmore, speak out like a true man and tell these all as it's a lie." Tom remained silent. "D'ye hear, Tom? Speak out," cried Joe. "I'd rather not speak," said Tom, quietly. "But thou must, lad, thou must," cried Sim. "Are you going to see a man a martyr for a holy cause, when you can save him?" "Speak! speak!" cried Joe, panting with rage and emotion; "tell 'em you know it's a lie, Tom." "I can't," said Tom, who was driven to bay, "for I believe Richard Glaire has got her away." "Theer, I telled you," said Sim. "He wanted me to help him, only you wean't believe." "No, no, no," roared Joe; "and I wean't believe it now. He wouldn't, he couldn't do it. He told me he hadn't; and he wouldn't tell me a lie." The little crowd opened as the true-hearted old fellow strode away, without turning his head, and Tom Podmore followed him towards his home, and at last spoke to him. Joe turned upon him savagely. "Go away," he cried. "I've done wi' you. I thowt as Tom Podmore were a man, instead o' one o' them chattering maulkin-led fools; but thou'rt like the rest." Tom Podmore stopped short, with his brow knit, while Joe Banks passed on out of sight. "He'll find out, and believe different some day," said Tom, slowly. "Poor old man, it's enough to break his heart. But I wean't break mine." As he stood, the noise of cheering came from where he had left Sim Slee talking, and he stood listening and thinking.