CHAPTER XIV
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR
“Swords or pistols!” echoed Duncan, sufficiently aroused to sit up in his chair. “What have swords and pistols to do with it?”
“They are the recognized weapons for settling affairs of honor. Perhaps you were ignorant of the fact.” Shirley spoke with scornful dignity.
“This isn’t an affair of honor, it’s a mere difference of opinion,” protested Duncan. “You wouldn’t fight over that, I hope.”
“I’d fight over insults!”
Duncan laughed aloud, reckless of the fact that his laugh added to the affront.
“What good does fighting do? If you should wound me with a sword, it wouldn’t make the truth of what I said any less true, and if I should put a bullet into you, it wouldn’t drive out the insult. I say that the man who fights duels is a barbarian. If I fight, I make myself a barbarian.”
“Swords or pistols!” insisted Shirley, with a dogged indifference to logic.
“Neither,” answered Peck.
“Then you are not a gentleman, and are a coward. You have my contempt.”