"Nor as a fop," growled Bullbeggor, "which the same might be said of some people who dress to appear like gentlemen, but about whom there might be some diversity of opinion among men." And he looked straight before him. "Your wit is coarse, and if you mean that for me, I'll say you are damned insolent," said Harrison with some energy. "Oh, hold on!" said Will. "The Major did not mean that for you," I said quietly, advancing toward Harrison, who stood leaning against a pillar of the verandah. "He never makes rude remarks to anyone," I continued, trying to pacify his rising anger, "and he simply meant the _vice versa_ of Barron's jest." "I don't overstep the rules of politeness very often," said the Major, slowly, "but I don't believe in fitting all cases to a set of rules. It is better sometimes to make a rule to fit a case, such as this, for instance. If Mr. Harrison thinks I made the remark for the purpose of comparing him to an angel, he is most unaccountably satisfied with his personal appearance and certainly flatters himself, but if so, he is welcome, and be damned to him. I'll give him whatever redress he wishes at any time. Only I'd rather take it out of his friend, Dunmore, if--" "Hold on, Major! You forget yourself," cried Will, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll see that you make good your words to-morrow morning, old as you are," said Harrison, now white to the lips with passion. And he walked away and down the steps, meeting my sister Mary, who had just heard the raised voices and had turned to see what had happened. "Why do you waste time talking to those old men," I heard her say as they walked together down the path which led to the grove of live oaks that separated the estates. But he appeared not to answer, so I knew there was trouble ahead. "Harrison has horrible taste to get angry at such an old fellow as you," laughed Barron. "Also a pretty clever opinion of his presence." "I am old, Barry, sure enough, but I can't abide a man who lives in a country as a gentleman and then fights against it. I've got these pains shooting all through me and considerable twitching of the skull, but I'll meet him, sir; yes, sir, I'll meet him to-morrow morning if I'm alive. I offer you my humblest apology, Mr. Judkins, for being party to a scene on your verandah, but you heard what he said in regard to soldiers, sir; yes sir, you heard what he said." And the Major reached for the bottle, while I entered the house to leave again by a side door and follow Harrison to do what I could to pacify him. Will Byrd was living with us, so I felt sure he would keep Barron and the Major in good humor until I came back. Mary met me on the pathway leading to Harrison's. She had just left him and was much upset at his temper.