"Hullo, Wade! Supper's 'most ready.

What's this trouble you had with Jack?
He says he won't eat with you." "I was offerin' him advice," replied Wade.
"What on ?" "Reckon on general principles." "Humph! Wal, he told me you harangued him till you was black in the face, an'-- " "Jack had it wrong.

He got black in the face," interrupted Wade.
"Did you say he was a spoiled boy an' thet he was no good an' was headin' plumb fer hell ?" "That was a little of what I said," returned Wade, gently.
"Ahuh! How'd thet come about ?" queried Belllounds, gruffly.

A slight stiffening and darkening overcast his face.
Wade then recalled and recounted the remarks that had passed between him and Jack; and he did not think he missed them very far.

He had a great curiosity to see how Belllounds would take them, and especially the young man's scornful rejection of a sincerely offered friendship.