"You keep it up well, boy," said Hunston, "but I know well that you are ready to sink through the ground with fear, nevertheless."
"Liar!"
Hunston flushed purple.
But he kept down his rage.
"As you are going to die, boy, I may let you off the birching which your impertinence merits. You have all the old brag of your father."
Jack was silent.
"All his deceit; all his sham and falseness—"
The boy said nothing.
"All his craven-hearted, black-hearted villany." But young Jack saw through the other's game clearly enough.
He held his peace.