"I believe you said you were leaving for Charleston this afternoon ?" "No, I did not say when," replied Colonel Talbot, somewhat sharply.
"It is possible that Harry and I may linger a while in Nashville.
They do not need us yet in Charleston, although their tempers are pretty warm.

There has been so much fiery talk, cumulative for so many years, that they regard northern men with extremely hostile eyes.

It would not take much to cause trouble." Colonel Talbot continued to gaze steadily at Shepard, but the Missourian looked down into his plate.

It seemed to Harry that there was some sort of play between them, or rather a thread of suspicion, a fine thread in truth, but strong enough to sustain something.

He could see, too, that Colonel Talbot was giving Shepard a warning, a warning, veiled and vague, but nevertheless a warning.