"What does that mean?" I said. "You speak it as if you meant something very objectionable."
"I do. They are a cowardly set of tailors. They have no idea what a gentleman means, not one of them, unless they have caught the idea from a Southerner. I don't want you to have anything to do with them, Daisy. You must not dance with
them, and you must not be seen with this Thorold. Promise me you will not."
"Dr. Sandford is another," I said.
"I can't help Dr. Sandford. He is your guardian. You must not go again with Thorold!"
"Did you ever know him cowardly?" I asked.
I was sure that Preston coloured; whether with any feeling beside anger I could not make out; but the anger was certain.
"What do you know about it?" he asked.
"What do you?" I rejoined. But Preston changed more and more.
"Daisy, promise me you will not have anything to do with these fellows. You are too good to dance with them. There are plenty of Southern people here now, and lots of Southern cadets."