“You shall answer for that blow,” he said through his teeth. “You and your father both. I’ll break him, if it takes every cent I have.”
Shirley eyed him scornfully.
“Leave here at once,” she commanded, “or I shall tell my father and he will have the niggers drive you off the place.”
Jones took a sudden step toward her. Shirley leaped back and again raised the whip.
“One step nearer,” she said quietly, “and I’ll use the whip again.”
She drew herself up, and, extending a hand toward the door, cried:
“Go!”
With an evil smile on his lips, Jones bowed to her scornfully, and backed through the door. Then Shirley dropped the whip, and walked over to Jimmy, who was sitting upon the floor, his face in his hands.
“Never mind, Jimmy,” she said. “It was a great temptation and you are noble to refuse it.”
Jimmy raised his head.