Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/256

 Mater Blifil now, with his Blood running from his Noe, and the Tears galloping after from his Eyes, appeared before his Uncle, and the tremendous Thwackum. In which Court an Indictment of Aault, Battery, and wounding, was intantly preferred againt Tom; who in his Excue only pleaded the Provocation, which was indeed all the Matter that Mater Blifil had omitted.

It is indeed poible, that this Circumtance might have ecaped his Memory; for, in his Reply, he poitively inited, that he had made Ue of no uch Appellation; adding ‘Heaven forbid uch naughty Words hould ever come out of his Mouth.’

Tom, though againt all Form of Law, rejoined in Affirmance of the Words. Upon which Mater Blifil aid, ‘It is no Wonder. Those who will tell one Fib, will hardly tick at another. If I had told my Mater uch a wicked Fib as you have done, I hould be ahamed to hew my Face.’

‘What Fib, Child,’ cries Thwackum pretty eagerly?