Again he was silent for a few moments—then he looked up once more.
'As it is your birthday of course you consider you have an excuse for laziness. Well, I suppose you must go, but if you should chance to honour the father with your society you might point out to him that, on two occasions this week, his sheep have been on my frontage.'
'It's our own fault; we should mend our boundary.'
'Indeed! And pray how long have you been clear-headed enough to see that?'
'Anyone could see it. It's not fair to blame Mr McLeod for what is not his fault.'
'Dear me! This perspicuity is really most pleasing. An unexpected Daniel come to judgment, I declare. Well, at anyrate, I'll give you a note to take to the snuffling old hound and in it I'll tell him that the next beast of his I catch on my property I'll shoot. That's a fair warning. You can come in for it when you are starting.'
'I shall not take it.'
'Indeed! I am sorry to hear that. Your civility is evidently on a par with your industry.'
Then, seeing that I had risen, he bowed ironically, and wished me a 'very good morning.'
I did not answer, but marched out of the room, my cheeks flushed with passion. Nothing, I knew, gave him greater pleasure than to let him see that he had hurt me, and yet, do what I would, I could not prevent myself from showing it.