Mr.Beecher's face was tense.

After a few moments he said: "That's generally the way with extemporaneous remarks: they are always dangerous.

The best impromptu speeches and remarks are the carefully prepared kind," he added.
Edward told him he regretted the reference because he knew that General Hayes would read it in the New York papers, and he would be nonplussed to understand it, considering the cordial relations which existed between the two men.

Mr.Beecher knew of Edward's relations with the ex-President, and they had often talked of him together.
Nothing more was said of the incident.

When the Beecher home was reached Mr.Beecher said: "Just come in a minute." He went straight to his desk, and wrote and wrote.