She let her crochet work drop in her lap and looked at him attentively. “Do you mean to say you agree with me?� she demanded.
The colonel laughed. “I’m not a violent man, Jinny; since the war I’ve been a man of peace. I’m not sure that I’ve got all the faith I ought to have in these young iconoclasts.�
“Faith in that man!� Mrs. Eaton threw up her hands. “If you had, David, I wouldn’t have any in you!�
“Your conversation has rather led me to assume that you had lost faith in my opinions,� he retorted, amused.
“Well, sometimes, Cousin David, I think you’re too willing to have the wool combed over your eyes!� she said severely; “you’re so broad-minded, I suppose, that you don’t think enough of the natural prejudices of our own class.�
“Well, Jinny,� said the colonel dryly, “I’m a little tired of our class.�
Mrs. Eaton raised her head to reply with indignation, but utterance was suspended by Diana’s approach. Her appearance always had the effect of breaking off a conversation in the middle. She was still a vision in pink muslin, with a wide straw hat trimmed with roses. She swept out, fresh and sweet and buoyant.
“What are you two quarreling about?� she asked. “I can’t leave you alone together any more; you fight like game cocks. Of course it’s politics or social customs; you haven’t got to religion yet, thank heaven! When you do I shall have to send for the bishop.�
“It’s about that wretched man,� said Mrs. Eaton fretfully. “I told David that he ought not to be received here!�
“Well,� said the colonel thoughtfully, “I’m not sure he could be after this fight with Jacob; blood’s thicker than water. But do you know, Jinny, I don’t believe he’ll come?�