He felt slighted.
When Bryant and Louise ascended the veranda, Dave loitering below, the engineer said nonchalantly, "Hello, Charlie, how are tricks?
Anything new up your sleeve ?"--in a way that set the other's blood boiling; and when he carelessly added, "What about that story the stage-driver's telling of you and a senorita going into a ditch with your car at Rosita the other night ?" he was quite ready to murder both Bryant and the stage-driver.
So upset was Charlie that he was unable to share in the conversation.
He curtly refused a glass when Louise brought a pitcher of buttermilk, then changed his mind, and ended by choking over the wretched stuff.
The situation was intolerable; his pride was smarting; the others talked on with unperturbed countenances, ignoring his silence; and his self-respect required some action in the face of the affront.

He abruptly stood up and announced that he was departing.
In Louise's manner at this news there was no repining that he could observe.

She did not protest.

Her words were impersonally pleasant as ever, but vague; and he perceived that she only half heeded his going; and that her eyes brightened when once more she turned to her visitor.
This was the final stab.

With hatred in his heart and a wicked glitter in his eyes, Charlie Menocal went down the steps to his automobile, feeling the need of a victim, preferably the engineer.