‚ÄúFortunately,‚Äù said Mr. ¬ÝVanderpool, ‚ÄúNortherners and Southerners are arriving at a better mutual understanding on most of these matters.‚Äù
“Yes, indeed,” Cresswell agreed. “After all, they never were far apart, even in slavery days; both sides were honest and sincere.”
All through the dinner Mr. ¬ÝSmith had been preoccupied and taciturn. Now he abruptly shot a glance at Cresswell.
“I suppose that one was right and one was wrong.”
“No,” said Cresswell, “both were right.”
“I thought the only excuse for fighting was a great Right; if Right is on neither side or simultaneously on both, then War is not only Hell but Damnation.”
Mrs. ¬ÝGrey looked shocked and Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool smiled.
“How about fighting for exercise?” she suggested.
‚ÄúAt any rate,‚Äù said Cresswell, ‚Äúwe can all agree on helping these poor victims of our quarrel as far as their limited capacity will allow‚ÅÝ‚Äîand no farther, for that is impossible.‚Äù
Very soon after dinner Charles Smith excused himself. He was not yet inured to the ways of high finance, and the programme of the cotton barons, as unfolded that day, lay heavy on his mind, despite all his philosophy.
‚ÄúI have had a‚ÅÝ‚Äîfull day,‚Äù he explained to Mrs. ¬ÝGrey.