away, and with a portentous frown began to stare out of the window.
Mr. Romaine, after a moment or two, cooled down and proceeded to make amends in his own peculiar fashion for his remark.
"Excuse me, Corbin, but you are so devilish persistent on the subject of my age that I inadvertently used an illustration I should not have done had I reflected for one instant whom I was addressing. But I take it that no gentleman will hold another accountable for a few words said in heat and under provocation. Remember, 'an affront handsomely acknowledged becomes an obligation.'"
"Your acknowledgment, sir, was not what I should call a handsome one."
"Hang it, Corbin, we can't quarrel. Here I am in trouble, and I have come to you, as to my friend of forty years, to help me out."
It was always hard for the Colonel to maintain his anger, and Mr. Romaine, when he said this, put on one of his characteristic appealing looks, and spoke in his sweetest voice, and the Colonel could not help relaxing a little.
"I think you understand, Romaine, the attitude I feel compelled to assume toward you;
