In the struggle the
bishop had preserved his dignity, but lost the duck, and the
bishop's wife, being also high-born, and with a long line of
traditions behind her, had calmly continued the conversation, while
the butler removed the smoking duck from her lap!
Such was the way of things at Castleman Hall! The wild, care-free
people--like half-grown children, romping their way through life!
There was really nothing too crazy for them to do, if the whim
struck them. Once a visiting cousin had ventured the remark that she
saw no reason why people should not eat rats; a barn-rat was clean
in its person, and far choicer in its food than a pig. Thereupon
"Miss Margaret" had secretly ordered the yard-man to secure a
barn-rat; she had had it broiled, and served in a dish of squirrels,
and had sat by and watched the young lady enjoy it! And this, mind
you, was Mrs. Castleman of Castleman Hall, mother of five children,
and as stately a dame as ever led the grand march at the Governor's
inaugural ball! "Major Castleman," she would say to her husband,
"you may take me into my bedroom, and when you have locked the door
securely, you may spit upon me, if you wish; but don't you dare even
to _imagine_ anything undignified about me in public!"
15.
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