Maſter Blifil now, with his Blood running from his Noſe, and the Tears galloping after from his Eyes, appeared before his Uncle, and the tremendous Thwackum. In which Court an Indictment of Aſſault, Battery, and wounding, was inſtantly preferred againſt Tom; who in his Excuſe only pleaded the Provocation, which was indeed all the Matter that Maſter Blifil had omitted.
It is indeed poſſible, that this Circumſtance might have eſcaped his Memory; for, in his Reply, he poſitively inſiſted, that he had made Uſe of no ſuch Appellation; adding ‘Heaven forbid ſuch naughty Words ſhould ever come out of his Mouth.’
Tom, though againſt all Form of Law, rejoined in Affirmance of the Words. Upon which Maſter Blifil ſaid, ‘It is no Wonder. Those who will tell one Fib, will hardly ſtick at another. If I had told my Maſter ſuch a wicked Fib as you have done, I ſhould be aſhamed to ſhew my Face.’
‘What Fib, Child,’ cries Thwackum pretty eagerly?
‘Why
