"Perhaps I can. Don't forget our encounter on the road."
"You took a mean advantage of me. I've a good mind to thrash you right here."
"You may try it on if you wish, St. John," and so speaking Jack began to throw off his coat.
"Will you take back what you said?"
"What did I say?"
"Said I was a coward for not becoming a soldier—or about the same thing."
"I won't take back what I think is true."
"So you dare to say I am a coward?" howled the spendthrift.
"If you want it in plain words, I do dare to say it, and furthermore, it is true, and you know it. Your plea that you must remain at home is all a sham. When the Yankees came this way you were all ready to run for your life at the first sign of real danger. You never thought of your mother at all."
"Ha! who told you that?"