That Was Outrageous And Not To Be
Tolerated A Second, And Without Stopping To Reason That It Would Be
Better Not To Hear, And Let The Man Talk His Anger Off, Out To The
Kitchen I Went.
I found Volmer perched upon one end of a large wood
box that stands close to a door that leads out to a shed.
I said:
"Volmer, I heard what you have been saying, as you intended I should,
and now I tell you to go out of this house and stay out, until you can
speak respectfully of Lieutenant Rae and of me." But he sat still and
looked sullen and stubborn. I said again, "Go out, and out; of the
yard too." But he did not move one inch.
By that time I was furious, and going to the door that was so close to
the man he could have struck me, I opened it wide, and pointing out
with outstretched arm I said, "You go instantly!" and instantly he
went. Chinamen are awful cowards, and with the first word I said to
the soldier, Hang had shuffled to his own room, and there he had
remained until he heard Volmer go out of the house. Then he came back,
and looking at me with an expression of the most solemn pity, said,
"He vellee blad man - he killee man - he killee you, meb-bee!" The poor
little heathen was evidently greatly disturbed, and so was I, too. Not
because I was at all afraid of being killed, but because of the two
spirited young horses that still required most careful handling. And
Faye might be away several months! I knew that the commanding officer,
also the quartermaster, would look after them and do everything
possible to assist me, but at the same time I knew that there was not
a man in the post who could take Volmer's place with the horses. He is
a splendid whip and perfect groom. I could not send them to Mr.
Vaughn's to run, as they had been blanketed for a long time, and the
weather was cold.
Of course I cried a little, but I knew that I had done quite right,
that it was better for me to regulate my own affairs than to call upon
the company commander to do so for me. I returned to the dining room,
but soon there was a gentle knock on the door, and opening it, I saw
Volmer standing in front of me, cap in hand, looking very meek and
humble. Very respectfully he apologized, and expressed his regret at
having offended me. That was very pleasant, but knowing the man's
violent temper, and thinking of coming days, I proceeded to deliver a
lecture to the effect that there was not another enlisted man in the
regiment who would use such language in our house, or be so ungrateful
for kindness that we had shown him. Above all, to make it unpleasant
for me when I was alone.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 156 of 213
Words from 80618 to 81121
of 110651
