What the dickens does the fellow expect ?" and the old gentleman looked a trifle ashamed of his own testiness.
"If I were you, I'd write him an apology, Sir.

He says he won't come down till he has one, and talks about Washington, and goes on in an absurd way.

A formal apology will make him see how foolish he is, and bring him down quite amiable.

Try it.

He likes fun, and this way is better than talking.