the other, quietly.

"My husband spoke very harshly to the poor man," added Aunt
Yvonne. "But, I am afraid, Caspar, he did not understand a word
you said. You were very much excited." The sweet old lady's
attempts at English were much more laborious than her husband's.

"If he did not understand my English, he was very good at
guessing," said her husband, grimly.

"He told me you had threatened to call him out," ventured the
young man.

"Call him out? Ach, a railroad conductor!" exclaimed Uncle
Caspar, in fine scorn.

"Caspar, I heard you say that you would call him out," interposed
his wife, with reproving eyes.

"Ach, God! God! I have made a mistake! I see it all! It was
the other word I meant--down not out! I intended to call him
down, as you Americans say. I hope he will not think I
challenged him." He was very much perturbed.

"I think he was afraid you would," said Lorry.

"He should have no fear. I could not meet a railroad conductor.
Will you please tell him I could not so condescend? Besides,
dueling is murder in your country, I am told."