"You use bold terms," he said.
"I will back them with acts. Unless you pledge yourself to abstain from further insults, you can send me to jail or to hell itself before I'll remain here."
"I'm not accustomed to make compacts with prisoners."
"Nor I to hold converse with bullies who forget themselves!" I cried, all my old hate of the man fired by his manner and words.
I got up and turned to the door.
"Come back at once, sir," he thundered. "If you dare to attempt to leave this room you go straight to a prison."
"Rather there than here." I flung the words at him over my shoulder, and went on toward the door.
He struck the bell on his table sharply, and the door opened as I neared it to admit two men in uniform.
"Will you return here?" he called to me.
"No, not without a pledge that you cease to insult me."