'I can decline answering.'

'But I'll make you,' said Milly, growing very red.

Perhaps there was something provoking in my tone, for I certainly was very
much disgusted at Milly's relapse into barbarism.

'You can't,' I retorted quietly.

'See if I don't, and I'll give ye one twice as ugly.'

I smiled, I fear, disdainfully.

'And I think you're a minx, and a slut, and a fool,' she broke out,
flushing scarlet.

I smiled in the same unchristian way.

'And I'd give ye a smack o' the cheek as soon as look at you.'

And she gave her dress a great slap, and drew near me, in her wrath. I
really thought she was about tendering the ordeal of single combat.

I made her, however, a paralysing courtesy, and, with immense dignity,
sailed out of the room, and into Uncle Silas's study, where it happened we
were to breakfast that morning, and for several subsequent ones.

During the meal we maintained the most dignified reserve; and I don't think
either so much as looked at the other.