I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was enough.

I stood firm.

McCarthy threatened.

I braved him to do his worst.

We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses to talk it over.
"When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone.
But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in me seemed to come uppermost.