Ivan’s hand continued to clutch him as he stood scowling above him.
“I must take these things to Mrs. Bentley,” began Benny, helplessly.
“No,” said Ivan, “you do not take. You lose them, also the bundles.”
A wave of dismay surged over Benny.
“What do you say that for? I never did anything to you,” he protested.
“You have done to me. You have made the eye of Mr. Bentley look me suspect. He give me the harsh word. I will not have. It is you who have done that to me.”
Benny was silent. He had told Mr. Bentley of Ivan’s constant little sly actions, done to provoke him and work him trouble, and Mr. Bentley had told the overseer to watch the Polish boy. All this Benny well knew, and he wished he had kept his own counsel.
“You are to me disagreeable,” continued Ivan, “and now you are to be made take the disagreeable. You are to leave these things here, and to say you have lose, or I will beat you.”
Poor Benny! This was a hard alternative, to be untrue to the trust placed in him, to be false to himself and his employer, or to suffer bodily hurt. Then he suddenly remembered his father, and that he had once said, “Never be afraid of bodily hurt; that can get well and show no sign, but what hurts your character leaves a worse scar.”
His lip quivered, but he said, bravely, “I shall not leave the things here.” Then with one swift movement he broke away from Ivan, jumped over the bushes, picked up his packages, and started to run. Ivan having quickly recovered from the surprise, followed.