Whately answered with dignity. "You are in your own home. I merely
felt reluctant that this Yankee should have a chance to say that we
were so rude and uncivilized that we couldn't appreciate good
treatment when we received it. There's no harm in gaining his
goodwill, either, for he said that his general, with the main force,
would be here to-morrow."
"Mrs. Baron," said her husband in strong irritation, "don't you see
there is nothing left for us to do? No matter how things turn out,
the presence of these Yankees involves what is intensely
disagreeable. If sister is right in regard to this man--and I
suppose I must admit she is till I know him better--he has made it
necessary for our own self-respect to treat him with courtesy. Our
pride will not permit us to accept this from him and make no return.
It may be Yankee cunning which led him to foresee this, for I
suppose it is pleasing to many of the tribe to gain their ends by
finesse. Probably if this doesn't secure them, he will try harsher
methods.
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