He spoke in a mocking way, with a presence of not quite meaning it, but the feeling could not be wholly disguised.

Stung by his reproaches, I blurted out that he had no right to talk to me, even in fun, in such a way.

Yes, he said, getting serious, he had the best right--that of our friendship.

He would be no true friend if he kept his peace about such a matter.

Then, in my haste, I retorted that to me the friendship between us did not seem so perfect and complete as it did to him.