declare the words seemed to strike me on the face, they 
were so firmly spoken, and aimed so directly behind me. 

" Martin Churt, I know you can speak  I have heard you my- 
self ; did I interrupt you so ?" He carried his eyes round the 
room, repeating, " Did I ?" And several men's voices answered, 
" Noa, that thee didn't, zur." 

" Martin," continued Giles, in a more colloquial tone, " If I 
were you, I would stand up and say what I had to say ; you 
could not have a better opportunity. Get on the bench, man, 
and have it out." (There was now a sound at our back of hard 
breathing and puffing, as if some gentleman of the lower sort 
might be holding down his head and dabbing his face with his 
handkerchief.) 

" It is true that these good fellows and these good women came 
to give a hearing to me," continued Giles ; " but I dare say they 
can spare a little time for you. You could speak on Sunday 
afternoon, when I heard you holding forth on the common. Get 
up, and let us hear the sound of your voice now." 

" Ay, ay, let us