Yermah was in a genial mood as his voice and manner indicated.
“What hast thou done with the offenders?” asked Orondo, quietly.
“The first family was warned; the second are now being paraded up and down the street. They have been admonished once before, and if it were in my discretion, they would be soundly whipped. Humiliation may serve with some natures, but corporal punishment is better for others.”
“Thou sayest they. Whom dost thou mean?”
“The father and mother, and two young girls. The law is no respecter of persons.”
“And, in addition, thou wouldst have me order them whipped?”
“N-o-o; I only wish thy consent to propose the measure at the next council meeting.”
Yermah made a gesture of dissent, and asked pointedly:
“What punishment hast thou meted out to the third offense?”
“I have application here, awaiting thy signet, that I may take the children away from the shiftless sloven who gave them ingress to light.”