"Not particularly," he said,--"he had never made it a branch of study."
"I am a great admirer of them."
He bowed, and begged to be excused for remarking that he didn't see the point yet.
"Do you remember this one, sir," said Fleda colouring a little,--"'Those that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones?'"
"I have heard it; but pardon me,--though your remark seems to imply the contrary I am in the dark yet. What unfortunate points of vitrification have I laid open to your fire?"
"I thought they were probably forgotten by you, sir."
"I shall be exceedingly obliged to you if you will put me in condition to defend myself."
"I think nothing could do that, Mr. Stackpole. Under whose auspices and fostering care was this curse of slavery laid upon America?"
"Why--of course,--but you will observe, Miss Ringgan, that at that day the world was unenlightened on a great many points;--since then we have cast off the wrong which we then shared with the rest of mankind."
"Ay sir, but not until we had first repudiated it and Englishmen had desired to force it back upon us at the point of the sword. Four times"--