Meaning no unkindness toward Nancy, but to vindicate himself in a former argument—and, of course, having kept from her the unpleasant termination of the mountaineer's visit, he said:
"Had she not come, we might have had Dale. You know that he offered himself."
"Yes, and I am very glad; for Dale is of that great treasure house—the middle class!"
The Colonel cleared his throat. "Well, my dear, I gathered from Timmie that Brent, not once but twice, offered the same service most handsomely."
"Cut it!" Brent, flushing, whispered savagely across at him.
"One may always depend upon a gentleman," she drew herself up with dignity, "to meet any situation!"
"Then it is not a question of class, but of being a gentleman, that should decide," the Colonel chuckled.
But Miss Liz swept haughtily from the room and her untenable position, her answer trickling back to them until she reached the porch:
"There has been too much noble generosity shown upon your place during these twelve hours for you and me, John, to part with mutual recriminations!"
Straining his ears to catch the last of this, the old gentleman looked resignedly at Brent. "A wonderful institution is woman," he sighed. "By the way, where is Dale?"