Christina and Mercy exchanged glances.
"I will tell you," Mercy said, "why Mr. lau answered the note: the chief had done with you!"
"Or," suggested Christina, "the chief was in such a rage that he would write nothing but a challenge."
"I wish to goodness he had! It would have given me the chance of giving the clodhopper a lesson."
"For sending you the finest stag's head and horns in the country!" remarked Mercy.
"I shot the stag! Perhaps you don't believe I shot him!"
"Indeed I do! No one else would have done it. The chief would have died sooner!"
"I'm sick of your chief!" said Christian. "A pretty chief without a penny to bless himself! A chief, and glad of the job of carrying a carpet-bag! You'll be calling him MY LORD, next!"
"He may at least write BARONET after his name when he pleases," returned Mercy.
"Why don't he then? A likely story!"