"Nothing," said Renti in stubborn tones.
"Nothing? You mean to defy me? What did you do before when you got a good thrashing for running away?"
"I ran away again the next day."
"Indeed? Then that was all the good it did? Well, I know something better that will surely cure you." The woman called to the dog,—"Nero!"—and pointing her finger at Renti, said, "Watch!"
The dog growled angrily and made a dash at the boy; but the woman held him by the collar, and Renti shrank back in alarm.
"I see you understand," the woman said to Renti. "Now the dog has learned his lesson, and hereafter, when you carry dinner out into the fields, or go on the slightest errand, he will go with you; for I can't be watching you—I have other things to do. If you make any attempt to get away, the dog will understand instantly, you may depend upon it. He will seize you by the neck, and if he wanted to kill you, there would be no help for you. Do you think you understand?"
"Yes," answered the boy in timid tones, for he trembled at the thought of his fierce guard.