" Well, " said he, " now the storm of eloquence has lulled for a little, suppose you answer my question? — that is, if you like, you know, " quoth he, with a sudden access of courtesy.
" Well, I don't know, " quoth the old fellow; then he added, as if somewhat ashamed of himself: " Besides, you know, when the waters are out and all Runnymede is flooded, it's none so pleasant" .
" Well, " quoth I, " but after all your Mr. James is right so far, and it is true; except that there was no fighting, merely unarmed and peaceable people attacked by ruffians armed with bludgeons" .
" Thou hast hit it, Dick, " quoth old Hammond; " it is the child-like part of us that produces works of imagination. When we are children time passes so slow with us that we seem to have time for everything" .
I said: " Well, since you have spoken the word, I begin to feel that it is so; but I have been feeding myself with wonder this long time past: really, it's quite true, " quoth I, as I saw her smile, O so prettily!