Explore "Caleb West" by Francis Hopkinson Smith on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Throughout the luncheon that followed aboard the yacht the major was the life of the party. He had offered no apology either to Sanford or to any member of the committee for his hasty conclusions regarding the "damnable oligarchy. " He considered that he had wiped away all bitterness, when, rising to his feet and rapping with the handle of his knife for order, he said with great dignity and suavity of manner: --
"On behalf of this queen among women," turning to Mrs. Leroy, "our lovely hostess, as well as these fair young buds" -- a graceful wave of his hand -- (some of these buds had grandchildren) "who adorn her table, I rise to thank you, suh," -- semi-military salute to General Barton, -- "for the opportunity you have given them of doing honor to a gentleman and a soldier," -- a double-barreled compliment that brought a smile to that gentleman's face, and a suppressed ripple of laughter from the other members of the committee.