"And then, Preston, Darry is better than you, and will not defend himself; and somebody ought to defend him; and there is nobody but me."
"Defend himself!" echoed Preston.
"Yes. You insulted him yesterday."
"Insulted him!"
"You know you did. You know, Preston, some men would
not have borne it. If Darry had been like some men, he would have knocked you down."
"Knocked me down!" cried Preston. "The sneaking old scoundrel! He knows that I would shoot him if he did."
"I am speaking seriously, Preston. It is no use to talk that way."
"I am speaking very seriously," said my cousin. "I would shoot him, upon my honour."
"Shoot him!"