"Don't be afraid to speak the truth. He sha' n't hurt you."
But the boy knew better.
"Sure I lied," he said.
"And what did you lie for?"
"Because I was mad."
"But what made you get mad with such a kind father?"
"Because he came into the cellar and found fault wid me about the potatoes."
"Had he reason to find fault with you?"
The boy looked at his father: one look was enough.