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had not so turned upon suspicions. And Sir Oliver here," he added, "why
should he, a priest, be guilty of this act?"
"Nay, Sir Daniel," said Dick, "but where the master biddeth there will
the dog go. It is well known this priest is but your instrument. I
speak very freely; the time is not for courtesies. Even as I speak, so
would I be answered. And answer get I none! Ye but put more questions.
I rede ye be ware, Sir Daniel; for in this way ye will but nourish and
not satisfy my doubts."
"I will answer you fairly, Master Richard," said the knight. "Were I to
pretend ye have not stirred my wrath, I were no honest man. But I will
be just even in anger. Come to me with these words when y' are grown and
come to man's estate, and I am no longer your guardian, and so helpless
to resent them. Come to me then, and I will answer you as ye merit, with
a buffet in the mouth. Till then ye have two courses: either swallow me
down these insults, keep a silent tongue, and fight in the meanwhile for
the man that fed and fought for your infancy; or else--the door standeth
open, the woods are full of mine enemies--go."
The spirit with which these words were uttered, the looks with which they
were accompanied, staggered Dick; and yet he could not but observe that
he had got no answer.
"I desire nothing more earnestly, Sir Daniel, than to believe you," he
replied. "Assure me ye are free from this."
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