Myers. These gentlemen insist on being insultingly snappish.
Hood. This is a slave state, sir, but not an auction room. I desire you to understand the strength of my contempt for yourself and the business that gives you a dishonorable living.
Myers. If you should ever cross the water, do you think anything in the line of Royalty would be able to obtain any condescension from you?
Hood. I associate with nothing but gentlemen, sir.
Myers. And I suppose you fight nothing but gentlemen, sir?
Hood. I sometimes kick a ruffian!
Myers (suppressed rage). Indeed! We will see how hard you kick, in the morning. Say, Brightly. Now you are off for the army, sell me that little red-cheeked jade I saw carrying your baggage to the depot.
Brightly (catching a look from D’A.). No siree! That girl is the smartest piece of meat in the whole of Tennessee! I brought her up from a baby. Why, she can sing like an Opera, and read—wal, she does all the readin’ and letter writin’ on the plantation. (Hood and D’A. converse—R.)
Myers. I s’pose that all goes for talk!
Brightly. Why, bless your heart, there ain’t a nigger or white woman in Creelsboro’ that wouldn’t die for her! She’s one er the institutions of that place.