Duncan grew speechless. "Why, you—you&—" he began.
"Hold up now before you say something that you'll be sorry for. This is your house, but you have no right to insult me in it."
"Quite right, Strong, quite right." The library door had opened, and Mr. Woodward stood upon the threshold, gazing sharply at his son. "Strong is here upon my invitation, Duncan; you ought to treat him with more politeness," he added.
If Duncan was amazed at this speech, so was I. The merchant taking my part? What did it mean?
"Why, I—I&—" began Duncan, but he could really get no further.
"No explanation is necessary," interrupted his father, coolly.
"Strong, please step in, will you?"
"Yes, sir," and I suited the action to the word.
As I did so Duncan passed on to the front door.
"I'll get even with you yet, you cad!" he muttered under his breath; but I paid no attention to his words. I had "bigger fish to fry."