sturdy fellow, with a great club in his fist, sat moodily at the
foot of a ladder which led to the loft above, while a slatternly
woman, who was going to and fro getting supper, seemed in equal
terror of her guests and her good man.

Confirmed by what I saw, and assured that the villains were ripe
for any mischief, and, if not checked, would speedily be beyond
my control, I noisily flung the door open and entered. Fresnoy
looked up with a sneer as I did so, and one of the men laughed.
The others became silent; but no one moved or greeted me.
Without a moment's hesitation I stepped to the nearest fellow
and, with a sturdy kick, sent his log from under him. 'Rise, you
rascal, when I enter!' I cried, giving vent to the anger I had
long felt. 'And you, too!' and with a second kick I sent his
neighbour's stool flying also, and administered a couple of cuts
with my riding-cane across the man's shoulders. 'Have you no
manners, sirrah? Across with you, and leave this side to your
betters.'

The two rose, snarling and feeling for their weapons, and for a
moment stood facing me, looking now at me and now askance at
Fresnoy. But as he gave no sign, and their comrades only
laughed, the men's courage failed them at the pinch, and with a
very poor grace they sneaked over to the other side of the fire
and sat there, scowling.

I seated myself beside their leader. 'This gentleman and I will
eat here,' I cried to the man at the foot of the ladder. 'Bid
your wife lay for us, and of the best you have; and do you give
those knaves their provender where the smell of their greasy