I began to understand Mr. Aaron Woodward's true character. Like Duncan, he was not only a bully, but also a brute. Words having failed, he was now evidently going to see what physical force could accomplish.
"Forewarned is forearmed" is an old saying, and now I applied it to myself. In other words, I prepared for an encounter. On the centre table lay a photograph album. It was thick and heavy and capable of proving quite a formidable article of defence. I picked it up, and stepping behind a large easy chair, stood on my guard.
Seeing the action, the merchant paused.
"What are going to do with that?" he asked.
"You'll see if you keep on," I replied. "I don't intend to stand this much longer. You had better open the door."
"You think you're a brainy boy, Strong," he sneered.
"I've got too much brain to let you ride over me."
"You think you have a case against me and Mr. Stumpy, and you intend to drag it into court and make a great fuss over it," he went on.
"I'm going to get back my father's honest name."
"What you mean is that you intend to drag my name in the mire," he stormed.