"I wish you had never brought him here," said Mrs. Huxter. "I am sure he cannot enjoy himself much here."
"I don't care whether he enjoys himself or not," said her husband. "We get six dollars a week for his board,—that's the main point. And next week, when I set him to work in the shop, we'll make a pretty good thing out of him."
"I don't believe he will be willing to work in the shop. He knows that you get paid for his board."
"I think I can persuade him with the horsewhip," said Mr. Huxter, significantly.
At that moment John's steps were heard as he ascended the attic stairs on his way to bed.
A new thought came to Mr. Huxter about an hour later. He reflected that it was in John's power to elude his vengeance by escaping, and this he had no intention of permitting.
"Mrs. Huxter," he said.
"Do you want anything?"
"Yes, I want you to go upstairs, and fasten the door of John Oakley's chamber."
"What for?"