With the chill of unwelcome still upon them the officers said little.
As the twilight deepened Warner lighted several candles. The silver
glittered under the flame. Colonel Winchester presently ordered the cook
to take a plate of the most delicate food to Colonel Woodville.
As the cook withdrew on his mission he left open the door of the
dining-room and they heard the sound of a voice, uplifted in a thunderous
roar. The cook hurried back, the untouched plate in his hand and his
face a little pale.
"He cursed me, sir," he said to Colonel Winchester. "I was never cursed
so before by anybody. He said he would not touch the food. He was sure
that it had been poisoned by the Yankees, and even if it were not he'd
rather die than accept anything from their hands."
Colonel Winchester laughed rather awkwardly.
"At any rate, we've tendered our good offices," he said. "I suppose his
daughter will attend to his wants, and we'll not expose ourselves to
further insults."
But the refusal had affected the spirits of them all, and as soon as
their hunger was satisfied they withdrew.
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