“I am not used to being called a fool!” he said solemnly.
“Who called you a fool?” asked Duncan, coolly. “I didn’t.”
“You said a man who would fight a duel was a fool and a barbarian,” repeated Shirley.
“Half a fool and half a barbarian,” corrected Peck.
“But I said that I would fight a duel.”
“Then you must be it,” asserted Duncan, with nonchalance, stretching himself out in his chair and putting his hands in his pockets.
“Those are insulting words to apply to a gentleman. You will take them back!” cried Shirley, hotly.
“I didn’t apply them—just made a general statement. You took ’em yourself. Perhaps you felt they fitted.”
“That’s quite enough!” said Shirley, slowly, taking a step forward. “It’s evident that you mean to insult me. We will settle the point of honor in a gentleman’s way. Name your weapons and the place of meeting. Shall it be swords or pistols? The choice is yours.”