"You didn't come." "No.

I--" "Why not ?" Here was the issue joined.

Here, if ever, was the opportunity to assert my independence a la Jed Dean and Alvin Baker.

But to assert it now, after he had done the unexpected, after the mountain had come to Mahomet, seemed caddish and ridiculous.

So I temporized, weakly.
"I didn't read your letter until about noon," I said.
"I see.