"Why, what has he done now? With all his queer ideas, Webb can be a gentleman if he pleases," said Fred.
"I must say," said George, "the Counsellor is a good fellow on the course. I don't care how seldom I see him anywhere else."
"I don't know what you may call being a good fellow or a gentleman," replied the father; "but I know he has insulted me publicly, and that in the most gross way, and before half the country. I don't know whether that's your idea of acting like a gentleman or a good fellow."
"It's what many a gentleman and many a good fellow has done before him," said George; "but if he has insulted you, of course he must apologize—or do the other thing."
"What—let it alone?" rejoined Fred.
"No; fight—and that's what he's a deal the most likely to do," said George.
"Be d——d," said old Brown, "but I think both of you seem glad to hear that your father has been insulted! you've neither of you a grain of proper feeling."
"It's with a grain or two of gunpowder, I'd take it," said George, "and I'd advise you, father, to do the same; a precious deal better thing than good feeling to settle an insult with."
"But you've not told us what it's all about?" said Fred; "what was the quarrel about?"
"Quarrel! there was no quarrel at all in the matter—I couldn't quarrel with him for I wouldn't speak to him. It was about that infernal friend of yours, Fred, that Ussher; I wish he'd never darkened this door."