Instantly a spirit of aggression, of truculence, swelled up underneath waistcoats and starched shirt bosoms.

More than one offender was promptly asked to "step outside." It was like young bucks excited by an encounter of stags, lowering their horns upon the slightest provocation, showing off before the does and fawns.

Old quarrels were remembered.

One sought laboriously for slights and insults, veiled in ordinary conversation.

The sense of personal honour became refined to a delicate, fine point.