A crown if
thou dost speak--the lash if thou wilt not answer, thou dumb dog."
Stead was really not far removed from a dumb dog. All his faculties
were so entirely wrought up to resistance that he had hardly
distinguished the words.
"Come, come, Stead," said Jeph, "thou art too old for thine old sulky
moods. Speak up, and tell if thou know'st aught of the Communion Cup
and dish, or it will be the worse for thee. Yes or no?"
Stead made a move with his shoulder to push away his brother, and
still stood silent.
"There," said Jeph, "it is all Faithful's fault for his rough
handling. His back is set up. It was always so from a boy, and
you'll get nought out of him."
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of
correction shall drive it far from him," quoted the Corporal, taking
up a waggoner's whip which stood by the inn door, and the like of
which had no doubt once been a more familiar weapon to him than the
sword.
"Speak lad--or--" and as no speech came, the lash descended on
Stead's shoulders, not, however, hurting him much save where it
grazed the skin of his face.
Pages:
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175