"First inflict punishment on you for denyin' Miss Gracie Sheraton pretties' girl whole C'fedrate States America.
Girls like John Cowles too much! Must mash John Cowles! Must mash John Cowles sake of Gracie Sheraton, pretties' girl in whole wide worl'!" He came toward me as best he might, his hands clenched.

I caught him by the wrist, and as he stumbled past, I turned and had his arm over my shoulder.

I admit I threw him rather cruelly hard, for I thought he needed it.

He was entirely quiet when we carried him into the room and placed him on the leather lounge.
"By Jove!" I heard a voice at my elbow.

"That was handsomely done--handsomely done all around." I turned to meet the outstretched hand of my new friend, Gordon Orme.
"Where did you learn the trick ?" he asked.
"The trick of being a gentleman," I answered him slowly, my face red with anger at Singleton's foolishness, "I never learned at all.