To Sheridan it was Tom o' Bedlam singing while the house burned; and
he did not tarry to enjoy the melody, but went into his own room and
locked the door.
CHAPTER XIX
He emerged only upon a second summons to dinner, two hours later, and
came to the table so white and silent that his wife made her anxiety
manifest and was but partially reassured by his explanation that his
lunch had "disagreed" with him a little.
Presently, however, he spoke effectively. Bibbs, whose appetite had
become hearty, was helping himself to a second breast of capon from
white-jacket's salver. "Here's another difference between Midas and
chicken," Sheridan remarked, grimly. "Midas can eat rooster, but
rooster can't eat Midas. I reckon you overlooked that. Midas looks
to me like he had the advantage there."
Bibbs retained enough presence of mind to transfer the capon breast to
his plate without dropping it and to respond, "Yes--he crows over it."
Having returned his antagonists's fire in this fashion, he blushed--
for he could blush distinctly now--and his mother looked upon him with
pleasure, thought the reference to Midas and roosters was of course
jargon to her.
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