George A. Birmingham

“ Willoughby, "we needn't any of us lose our tempers. I think, Sir Giles, that you are bound either to substantiate or withdraw the very offensive statement that you made on the pier this morning. You called Mr. Meldon a liar."
"So far as I'm concerned," said Meldon, "I don't mind that in the least. I'm quite accustomed to it. There's hardly a man on this island who hasn't called me a liar. I quite recognise that Sir Giles's temper wasn't altogether under control when he spoke. He has a hot temper. ”

“ Meldon," said the Chief Secretary, "is asleep, as you saw for yourselves."
"It's a good job he doesn't talk in his sleep. He never stops when he's awake."
"He gave you credit for a hot temper," said Father Mulcrone. "I should call it a sulky temper if I was giving my opinion."
Mr. Willoughby interfered as peacemaker. The priest did not like Sir Giles, and was at no pains to conceal his feelings. Without the good offices of Mr. Willoughby Sir Giles might easily have come to dislike Father Mulcrone as heartily as he did Meldon. ”