"I called to you several times," said Miss Lady. "Who is that gentleman you are staring at? Why doesn't he come in and eat with us?"
Colonel Blount turned slowly as Miss Lady tugged at his arm. "Who is he?" he replied, half-musingly. "Who is he? You tell me. He refused to eat in Calvin Blount's house; that's why he didn't come in, Miss Lady. He says he's the cow coroner on the railroad; but I want to tell you, he's the finest fellow and the nearest to a gentleman that ever struck this country. That's what he is. I'm mighty troubled over his going away."
"Why, he didn't drink his julep!" said Miss Lady, severely.
"No," said Blount, miserably.
"And he hasn't any other place to eat," said Miss Lady, argumentatively.
"No."
"And he—he hasn't been introduced to me," said Miss Lady, conclusively.
"No."
"Colonel Cal, call him!" said Miss Lady, decisively.
Her words roused the old planter.