Read the excerpt from The Land.

George lost patience and grasped the handle of Mitchell's axe. "Boy, you better answer!" he demanded, but Mitchell in a dangerous move yanked on the axe. George too yanked on the axe in an attempt to twist it from Mitchell's grasp, but then Hammond intervened, stepping between George and Mitchell. George's hand slipped from the axe, but he still tried to get at Mitchell.

In the context of the post–Civil War America setting, Mitchell’s behavior could be considered

amusing.
typical.
embarrassing.
foolish.