The General cautioned Gordon not to mind what he said.

"He has been spoiled a little; but don't mind him.
An only child is at a great disadvantage." He spoke as if Gordon were one of a dozen children.
But Ferdy Wickersham misunderstood the other's concession.

He resented the growing intimacy between Rhodes and Gordon.

He had discovered that Gordon was most sensitive about the old plantation, and he used his knowledge.

And when Mr.Rhodes interposed it only gave the sport of teasing Gordon a new point.
One morning, when the three were together, Ferdy began, what he probably meant for banter, to laugh at Gordon for bragging about his plantation.
"You ought to have heard him, Mr.Rhodes, how he used to blow about it." "I did not blow about it," said Gordon, flushing.
Rhodes, without looking up, moved in his seat uneasily.
"Ferdy, shut up--you bother me.