“No, but it was you who sold him liquor and took the money which he should have spent on his own family.”
“All nonsense, ma’am. You women are the most unreasonable creatures. I didn’t ask him to drink.”
“You tempted him to do it.”
“I deny it!” said the landlord warmly. “I couldn’t refuse to sell him what he asked for, could I? You must be a fool to talk so!” said the landlord roughly.
“I’ll trouble you to speak respectfully to my aunt, Mr. Jones,” said Robert with flashing eyes.
“Mind your own business, you young rascal!” said Nahum Jones, whose temper was not of the best.
“I mean to,” retorted Robert. “My business is to protect my aunt from being insulted.”
“Wait till you’re a little bigger, boy,” said Jones with a sneer.
Robert involuntarily doubled up his fist and answered:
“I mean to protect her now.”