"Certainly," said John. "What else could I mean?"
Mrs. Oakley turned to Ben, who shrugged his shoulders, intimating that he did not believe it.
"All very fine," said his mother, "but words are cheap. If you think I am entitled to your respect, you will do as I require. Will you promise this?"
"I would rather not promise," said John. "If it is anything I ought to do, I will do it."
"It is something you ought to do," said Mrs. Oakley.
"What is it?"
"I require you immediately to apologize to my son Benjamin, for the blows you struck him with the whip this afternoon."
"I cannot do this," said John, firmly.
"Why can't you do it?"
"Because I had a good reason for striking him. He ought to apologize to me for striking me first."