"You'd better go to the house," 'Gene said to her. "It ain't right fer you to see us fight. I didn't want to, remember, but, dern him, he can't call me a coward. I'll fight him till I'm dead."
"We'll settle up old scores, too," said Jud. "You've annoyed Justine and you ain't fit to breathe the same air as she does."
"Damn you, Jud Sherrod, I keer as much fer her as you do. I'd die fer her, if she'd let me. You took her from me an' we've got to have it out now. You kin kill me, but you cain't make me say I don't love her!"
"I despise you, 'Gene Crawley! Oh, how I hate you!" cried the girl. "I've always hated you!"
"I know it! I know it! You needn't throw it up to me! But I'll make you sorry fer it, see if I don't——"
"Stop that! Don't you talk that way to my wife! Are you ready to fight?" cried Jud, advancing. She made a clutch at his arm and then sank back powerless against the great oak.
"As soon as she goes to the house," replied the other.
"Go to the house, Justine," cried Jud impatiently, but she did not move.
"I'll stay right here!" she said mechanically. "If he murders you, I'll kill him."
Crawley ground his teeth and backed away.