"Governor Osborne is a contemptible ruffian," declared Ardmore with deep feeling.
Miss Dangerfield nodded judicial approval, and settled back in her chair the better to contemplate her new secretary, and said:
"I'm a Daughter of the Confederacy and a Colonial Dame. What are you?"
"I suppose you'll never speak to me again; papa sent three expensive substitutes to the Civil War."
"Three! Horrible!"
"Two of them deserted, and one fell into the Potomac on his way south and was drowned. I guess they didn't do you folks much harm."
"We'll forgive you that; but what did your ancestors do in the Revolution?"
"I'm ashamed to say that my great-grandfather was a poor guesser. He died during Washington's second administration still believing the Revolution a failure."
"Do you speak of the war of 1861 as the Rebellion or as the war between the states? I advise you to be careful what you say," and Miss Jerry Dangerfield was severe.
"I don't believe I ever mentioned it either way, so I'm willing to take your word for it."