Colonel Quaritch, V.C

Excerpt: ...an awful fluke of mine killing those four birds." Edward Cossey took no notice of the friendly words or outstretched hand, but came straight on as though he intended to walk past him. The Colonel was wondering what it was best to do, for he could not mistake the meaning of the oversight, when the Squire, who was sometimes very quick to notice things, spoke in a loud and decided tone. "Mr. Cossey," he said, "Colonel Quaritch is offering you his hand." "I observe that he is," he answered, setting his handsome face, "but I do not wish to take Colonel Quaritch's hand." Then came a moment's silence, which the Squire again broke. "When a gentleman in my house refuses to take the hand of another gentleman," he said very quietly, "I think that I have a right to ask the reason for his conduct, which, unless that reason is a very sufficient one, is almost as much a slight upon me as upon him." "I think that Colonel Quaritch must know the reason, and will not press me to explain," said Edward Cossey.