“I shall not allow you to pick a quarrel. I regret that you are so much inclined that way.”
“You can keep all your regretting till later, you’ll likely need it. What I want to make plain to you is that Mack is going to stay right here in Little River, perviding he wants to.”
“Indeed? You surprise me. I usually get my way about church matters. Permit me to say that you shall not interfere in these affairs any more than in those of my own home.”
“That’s been the trouble with you all these years, Jim. You’ve been getting your own way too long. I’m not going to interfere one mite, I’m just going to dictate for this once. 356 If I ain’t way off in my soundings, you’ll be mighty glad to have him as a son-in-law, too.”
Mr. Fox rose and lifted his cane. He tapped the corner of the desk. He opened his mouth, but his anger choked him.
“You make me nervous, Jim. Set down and set still. I ain’t going to speak of the parson right off. Ain’t you going to set down? There, that’s better.”
The Elder’s face was livid.
“I cal’late I’ll talk better if I get this thing going,” observed the seaman, lighting his pipe. “Now, Jim, I ain’t sartin why I’m going to talk to you in private like this, but–––”
“By God! It’s time you’re finding out! Your impudence has got beyond all bounds.”
“I wouldn’t swear like that. It ain’t becoming to one of your position in the church. Them black scowls and blue cuss-words ain’t going to get you nothing.”