This was a home shot, as Aunt Polly very well knew. For the physicians who had attended Peyton’s people, had earnestly recommended the destruction of his negro quarters and the removal of his people to a more healthful locality, and he had stoutly refused to incur the expense. He had ever since excused himself by jeering at the doctors and pointing, in justification of his neglect of their advice to the fact that in due time the epidemic on his plantation had subsided. He therefore felt the sting of Aunt Polly’s reference to his experience, and she emphasized it by adding: “If you had done as Arthur has, perhaps you wouldn’t have so many deaths to answer for when Judgment Day comes!” “Oh, that’s all nonsense, Cousin Polly,” he quickly responded. “And besides we’re wasting time. Of course you and Dorothy can’t remain here, exposed to this dreadful danger. So I’ve ordered my driver to bring the carriage over here for you this afternoon. You two must be our guests at least as long as the fever lasts at Wyanoke.” Aunt Polly looked long and intently at Peyton. Then she slowly said: “The Bible forbids it, Madison, though I never could see why.” “Forbids what, Cousin Polly?” “Why, it says we mustn’t call anybody a fool even when he is so, and I never could understand why.” “But I don’t understand you, Cousin Polly--” “Of course you don’t. I didn’t imagine that you would. But that’s because you don’t want to.” “But I protest, Cousin Polly, that I’ve come over only because I’m deeply anxious about your health and Dorothy’s. You simply mustn’t remain here.” “Madison Peyton,” answered the old lady, rising in her stately majesty of indignation, “I won’t call you a fool because the Bible says I mustn’t. But it is plain that you think me one. You know very well that you’re not in the least concerned about my health. You know there hasn’t been a single case of fever in this house [Illustration: “_I WON’T CALL YOU A FOOL BECAUSE THE BIBLE SAYS I MUSTN’T._”]