Temeraire: In my opinion it is quite rude to come into someone’s residence only to stare at them, and turn pale, and go, as if there were something peculiar in them, and not in such absurd behavior. I do not know why you bothered to climb the hill at all, if you are such a great coward; it is not as though you did not know that I was here.
MacArthur: Why, in my opinion, you are a great rascal. What do you mean by calling me a coward, because I need to catch my breath.
Temeraire: Stuff. You were frightened.
MacArthur: I do not say that a man hasn’t a right to be taken aback a moment, when he sees a beast the size of a frigate waiting to eat him. But I am damned if I will swallow this; you do not see me running away, do you?
Temeraire: I would not eat a person, and you needn’t be disgusting, even if you have no manners.
Laurence: So spake the pot.