It was on the day following this that Jack Nugent, at his sister's
instigation, made an attempt to avenge the family honour. Miss Nugent,
although she treated him with scant courtesy herself, had a touching
faith in his prowess, a faith partly due to her brother occasionally
showing her his bicep muscles in moments of exaltation.
"There's that horrid Jem Hardy," she said, suddenly, as they walked along
the road.
"So it is," said Master Nugent, but without any display of enthusiasm.
"Halloa, Jack," shouted Master Hardy across the road.
"The suspense became painful."
"Halloa," responded the other.
"He's going to fight you," shrilled Miss Nugent, who thought these
amenities ill-timed; "he said so."
Master Hardy crossed the road. "What for?" he demanded, with surprise.
"Because you're a nasty, horrid boy," replied Miss Nugent, drawing
herself up.
"Oh," said Master Hardy, blankly.
The two gentlemen stood regarding each other with uneasy grins; the lady
stood by in breathless expectation. The suspense became painful.
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