The cook hurried back, the untouched plate in his hand and his face a little pale.
"He cursed me, sir," he said to Colonel Winchester.

"I was never cursed so before by anybody.

He said he would not touch the food.

He was sure that it had been poisoned by the Yankees, and even if it were not he'd rather die than accept anything from their hands." Colonel Winchester laughed rather awkwardly.
"At any rate, we've tendered our good offices," he said.

"I suppose his daughter will attend to his wants, and we'll not expose ourselves to further insults." But the refusal had affected the spirits of them all, and as soon as their hunger was satisfied they withdrew.