“You wouldn’t care to stay here, I suppose?”
“No.”
“I will take you back into the boat if you will promise to give me that money.”
It was a tempting proposal, and Robert was half inclined to yield. But, he reflected, his uncle had no claim to the money, and, if he secured it, would spend it for drink, while his aunt would lose the benefit of it. He summoned all his courage and answered:
“You have no right to the money, uncle. I can’t give it to you.”
“If you don’t, I will row away and leave you.”
“Then you will be doing a very mean thing,” said Robert with spirit.
“That’s my lookout. Just understand that I am in earnest. Now, what do you say?”
“I say no,” answered our hero firmly.
“Then you may take the consequences,” said his uncle, with a muttered curse, as he turned the head of the boat and rowed rapidly away.