What could those gentlemen who stood by have thought? They have all
been so good to me, Major. I have betrayed their hospitality. I have
forgotten my blood, suh. There is certainly an apology due Mr.
Klutchem."
At this juncture Fitz returned, followed by Yancey, who was beaming
all over, the judge bringing up the rear.
All three listened attentively.
"Who's goin' to apologize?" said Yancey, shifting his thumbs from his
armholes to the side pockets of his vest, from which he pinched up
some shreds of tobacco.
"I am, suh!" replied the colonel.
"What for, Colonel?" The doctrine was new to Yancey.
"For my own sense of honor, suh!"
"But he never got the challenge."
"That makes no diffence, suh. I wrote it." And the colonel threw his
head up, and looked Major Yancey straight in the eye.
"But, Colonel, we've got the letter. Klutchem don't know a word about
it."
"But I do, Major Yancey; and so do you and Fitz, and the jedge and the
major here. We all know it. Do you suppose, suh, for one instant, that
I am cowardly enough to stab a man in the back this way and give him
no chance of defendin' himself? It is monst'ous, suh! Why, suh, it's
no better than insultin' a deaf man, and then tryin' to escape because
he did not hear you.
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