“I have been working hard, Andrew,” said Bill. “I can show you what I have done this forenoon.”
“That’s too thin. You’re lazy, and that’s all about it. Well, my father’s got home, and now you’re going to catch it. Maybe you’ll knock him down with a hoe,” said Andrew tauntingly.
“I’m sorry I hit you, Andrew, as I told you; but you shouldn’t have struck me with a whip.”
“I had a perfect right to do it. I’m your master.”
“No, you’re not!” returned Bill with spirit.
“We’ll see whether I am or not. Come right up to the house.”
“Who says so?”
“My father told me to call you.”
“Very well, I will come,” and the bound boy shouldered his hoe and followed Andrew wearily to the farmhouse yard, where Mr. and Mrs. Badger were standing.
One look at the stern faces of the pair satisfied Bill that trouble awaited him. He knew very well that he could not hope for justice and that one word from Andrew in the mind of his parents would outweigh all he could say.