“No, NO!”
“Yes, I tell you!”
“No! no one dares to question that!”
“But they do, I tell you! Ay, and answer their own questions in a manner that reflects very little honor upon the parties!”
“Would God I had never seen the girl! Would God I had never brought her here! I would give my right hand rather than evil should befall her! But who is it that dares slander her? Tell me! Give me some name! Let me have SOME one to make an example of!”
“Nay, Clifton! you can’t make an example of women and children!” said Frank, evasively.
“By Heaven, sir, they have husbands and fathers, who shall be held accountable for the license of tongue they allow their wives and daughters!”
“Nay, now, Archer! This is a mere matter of gossip, that will die out, if you are discreet!”
“To dare to talk of her! They never looked upon her face! Else they never could associate the thought of evil with that noble brow, those thoughtful eyes, and serious lips! To slander her!”
“Nay, nay—it is not slander; only what I am afraid should become such. It is only fun—joke—”