It was then that I seemed to see the angry face of old Kate--the Silent Woman--at my elbow, and it counseled me to speak out.

Again her spirit was leading me.

Calmly and slowly these words came from my lips: "Because I think you are a low-lived, dirty-souled dog of a man and if you can stand that without fighting you are a coward to boot." This was not the language of diplomacy but at the time it seemed to me rather kind and flattering.
Latour flashed red and jumped off his horse and struck at me with his crop.

I caught it in my hand and said: "Hold on.

Let's proceed decently and in order.