replying to you, unless you give him some good reason for your delay.
Each party is entitled to reasonable time, to make the necessary
domestic arrangements, by will or otherwise, before fighting.

7. To a written communication you are entitled to a written reply, and
it is the business of your friend to require it.

Second's Duty Before Challenge Sent.

1. Whenever you are applied to by a friend to act as his second,
before you agree to do so, state distinctly to your principal that you
will be governed only by your own judgment,--that he will not be
consulted after you are in full possession of the facts, unless it
becomes necessary to make or accept the amende honorable, or send a
challenge. You are supposed to be cool and collected, and your
friend's feelings are more or less irritated.

2. Use every effort to soothe and tranquilize your principal; do not
see things in the same aggravated light in which he views them;
extenuate the conduct of his adversary whenever you see clearly an
opportunity to do so, without doing violence to your friend's
irritated mind. Endeavor to persuade him that there must have been
some misunderstanding in the matter. Check him if he uses opprobious
epithet towards his adversary, and never permit improper or insulting
words in the note you carry.

3. To the note you carry in writing to the party complained of, you
are entitled to a written answer, which will be directed to your
principal and will be delivered to you by his adversary's friend. If
this be not written in the style of a gentleman, refuse to receive it,