"And to company, also," I replied.
"Gentlemen!" cried the Roxbury officer, "are we to have quarrels among us at such a time?"
"Certainly," said I, "if you or your company affront me. Tattle is dirty work for a gentleman's tongue, and the sooner that tongue is stopped with honest mud the better."
"I've called a gentleman out for less than that," said an old officer, dryly.
"I am at your service," I replied, disgusted.
"And I'm with you, lad," said Mount, walking up to my stirrup. "I have no stomach for those who wink at a woman's name."
"I also," said the young man on the gray, gravely.
A constrained silence followed, broken by the Sudbury officer.
"Hats off to the beautiful Mrs. Hamilton, gentlemen! Cardigan is right, by God! If we stand not for our women, who will?"
And he stretched out his hand in the rain. I took it; others offered me their hands.