It may not seem much, yet I pledge you that kings have valued it ere now." It was a form of introduction most unfamiliar to me, and seemed bristling with audacity and conceit; but I recognized the heartiness of his purpose, and hastened to make fit response.
"I meet you with much pleasure," I answered, accepting the proffered hand.

"I am John Wayland." The graceful recklessness of the fellow, so conspicuous in each word and action, strongly attracted me.

I confess I liked him from his first utterance, although mentally, and perhaps morally as well, no two men of our age could possibly be more unlike.
"Wayland ?" he mused, with a shrug, as if the sound of the word was unpleasant.

"Wayland?
--'t is a harsh name to my ears, yet I have heard it mentioned before in England as that of a great family.

You are English, then ?" I shook my head emphatically; for the old wounds of controversy and battle were then being opened afresh, and the feeling of antagonism ran especially high along the border.
"I am of this country," I protested with earnestness, "and we call ourselves Americans." He laughed easily, evidently no little amused at my retort, twisting his small mustache through his slender fingers as he eyed me.
"Ah! but that is all one to me; it is ever the blood and not the name that counts, my friend.