"Any man that spits them words in my face has got to eat 'em! got to eat 'em!" he said.
"You know the way to the door," Tom Laylander replied.
Calhoun Withers, called colonel from his auctioneering days, turned and marched toward the door, followed by young Laylander, whose courage was as high as his honor. Mrs. Cowgill was thrown into a frenzy of consternation by this sudden shaping of tragedy among her peaceful tables. She lifted her arms in impotent signal of distress, running to the long table where the few railroaders lingered over their late supper.
"Stop 'em, stop em, some of you men!" she appealed. "Cal Withers is goin' to kill him, and his supper ain't paid for!"
