“Next time I come to talk business—serious business—with men, with men of my age—I don't want to be twitted by any youngster. Children should be seen, and not heard,” said he, putting on his hat energetically.
“Why, Mr. Mathews, you shouldn't call me a youngster. You forget I am a married man,” Romeo replied, with great amiability. “I am a papa, I am. Our baby is now six months old; he weighed twelve pounds when he was born. Now, can you show us a baby of your own, only as old as that, and weigh half as much?”
The shout of laughter that followed these words was too much for Mathews. The banging of doors as he left was the only answer he deigned to give.
“Mr. Mathews! Five pounds! Two-and-a-half, Mr. Mathews!” shouted Romeo from the window, to the retreating form of Billy, swiftly disappearing in long strides along the garden walk.
“That is the hardest hit Mathews ever got. He is awfully sensitive about having always been jilted and never been married,” Miller said.
“He'll never forgive you,” added old Hancock.
“He never has forgiven me for locating my claim either, but I manage to survive. One more grievance can't sour him much more,” Romeo replied, laughing.
After Mathews had made his exit, the conversation went on more harmoniously. Gasbang was now the only malignant spirit present, but being very cowardly, he felt that as Mathews' support was withdrawn, and the other settlers were inclined to abide by Darrell's advice, he would be politic; he would listen only and report to Peter Roper. Gasbang knew well how unreliable Roper was, but as they were interested in sundry enterprises of a doubtful character, he consulted Peter in all matters when found sober.
Darrell's advice being to “keep quiet,” the meeting soon broke up and the settlers went home by their separate ways, all more or less persuaded that, after all, peace was the best thing all around. Old Mr. Hancock gave utterance to this sentiment as he stopped by the gate of the Darrell garden to say good-night to his neighbors.
“I heard the Don say that he does not blame us settlers so much for taking his land as he blames our law-givers for those laws which induce us to do so—laws which are bound to array one class of citizens against another class, and set us all by the ears,” Romeo said.