Had he taken any part in the present quarrel, he would have preferred espousing the cause of the Irish boy; but that would not have been polite, and he therefore determined to preserve his neutrality.
"That ain't my business, Master Godfrey," he said.

"You must fight your own battles." "Go away from here," said Godfrey, imperiously advancing toward that part of the fence against which Andy Burke was leaning.
"Will you take back what you said agin' my mother ?" "No, I won't." "Then you're a blackguard, if you are a rich man's son." The blood rushed to Godfrey's face on the instant.

This was a palpable insult.

What! he, a rich man's son, the only son and heir of Colonel Anthony Preston, with his broad acres and ample bank account--he to be called a blackguard by a low Irish boy.

His passion got the better of him, and he ran through the gate, his eyes flashing fire, bent on exterminating his impudent adversary..