There surged through David a fierce animal hate. With a tight closing of his hardy young fist, he rushed to the onslaught so swiftly and so impetuously that Jud recoiled in fear and surprise. With his first tiger-like leap David had the older boy by the throat and bore him to the ground, maintaining and tightening his grip as they went down.
“I’ll kill you!”
David’s voice was steady and calm, but the boy on the ground underneath felt the very hairs of his head rising at the look in the dark eyes above his own.
Fortunately for both of them Barnabas was again at hand.
He jerked David to his feet.
“Fightin’ again, are you, after I told you not to!”
“It was him, David, that began it. I never struck him,” whimpered Jud, edging away behind his father.
“Did you, David?” asked Barnabas bluntly, 59 still keeping his hold on the boy, who was quivering with passion.
“Yes.”
His voice sounded odd and tired, and there was an ache of bafflement in his young eyes.