"Not if I could help it," said Mr. Carleton, smiling; "but, if such a misfortune happened, I don't know how it would be repaired by being made a matter of life and death."
"But honour might," said Rossitur.
"Honour is not reached, Captain Rossitur. Honour dwells in a strong citadel, and a squib against the walls does in no wise affect their security."
"But, also, it is not consistent with honour to sit still and suffer it."
"Question. The firing of a cracker, I think, hardly warrants a sally."
"It calls for chastisement, though," said Rossitur, a little shortly.
"I don't know that," said Mr. Carleton, gravely. "We have it on the highest authority that it is the glory of man to pass by a transgression."
"But you can't go by that," said Charlton, a little fidgeted; "the world wouldn't get along so; men must take care of themselves."
"Certainly. But what part of themselves is cared for in this resenting of injuries?"
"Why, their good name!"