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content myself, therefore, with this short hint, and return to mynarrative.Western began now to inquire into the original rise of this quarrel.To which neither Blifil nor Jones gave any answer; but Thwackum saidsurlily, "I believe the cause is not far off; if you beat the busheswell you may find her."--"Find her?" replied Western: "what! have youbeen fighting for a wench?"--"Ask the gentleman in his waistcoatthere," said Thwackum: "he best knows." "Nay then," cries Western, "itis a wench certainly.--Ah, Tom, Tom, thou art a liquorish dog. Butcome, gentlemen, be all friends, and go home with me, and make finalpeace over a bottle." "I ask your pardon, sir," says Thwackum: "it isno such slight matter for a man of my character to be thus injuriouslytreated, and buffeted by a boy, only because I would have done myduty, in endeavouring to detect and bring to justice a wanton harlot;but, indeed, the principal fault lies in Mr Allworthy and yourself;for if you put the laws in execution, as you ought to do, you willsoon rid the country of these vermin.""I would as soon rid the country of foxes," cries Western. "I think weought to encourage the recruiting those numbers which we are every daylosing in the war.--But where is she? Prithee, Tom, show me." He thenbegan to beat about, in the same language and in the same manner as ifhe had been beating for a hare; and at last cried out, "Soho! Puss isnot far off. Here's her form, upon my soul; I believe I may cry stoleaway." And indeed so he might; for he had now discovered the placewhence the poor girl had, at the beginning of the fray, stolen away,upon as many feet as a hare generally uses in travelling.Sophia now desired her father to return home; saying she found herselfvery faint, and apprehended a relapse. The squire immediately compliedwith his daughter's request (for he was the fondest of parents). Heearnestly endeavoured to prevail with the whole company to go and supwith him: but Blifil and Thwackum absolutely refused; the formersaying, there were more reasons than he could then mention, why hemust decline this honour; and the latter declaring (perhaps rightly)that it was not proper for a person of his function to be seen at anyplace in his present condition.Jones was incapable of refusing the pleasure of being with his Sophia;so on he marched with Squire Western and his ladies, the parsonbringing up the rear. This had, indeed, offered to tarry with hisbrother Thwackum, professing his regard for the cloth would not permithim to depart; but Thwackum would not accept the favour, and, with nogreat civility, pushed him after Mr Western.Thus ended this bloody fray; and thus shall end the fifth book of thishistory.BOOK VI.CONTAINING ABOUT THREE WEEKS.Chapter i.