Joel gave a sigh of relief.
"What made you force the boy to go out of the window; where were you sending him?"
"We were sending him to the village."
"What were you sending him to the village for?"
"I refuse to answer," was the bold reply.
Gray-beard, seeing that there would be no use in questioning Brush, turned to Alexander and asked, "What were you sending Lester to the village for?"
"I was sending him to go there and return."
"Alexander, I want no foolishness; tell me what you were sending Lester to the village for?"
"I refuse to answer."
"This abusing of smaller boys by the large ones, and making them do things that are improper, must be stopped; it has gone far enough. Lester, you may take your seat. Frank, take this knife and get me two good hickory switches. Do you know a hickory-tree?"