The morning brought the mother no opportunity of speech with her husband. He, contrary to his custom, remained until breakfast in his room. Outside in the kitchen, he could hear Billy Jack's cheerful tones and hearty laugh, and it angered him to think that his displeasure should have so little effect upon his household. If the house had remained shrouded in gloom, and the family had gone about on tiptoes and with bated breath, it would have shown no more than a proper appreciation of the father's displeasure; but as Billy Jack's cheerful words and laughter fell upon his ear, he renewed his vows to do his duty that day in upholding his authority, and bringing to his son a due sense of his sin.
In grim silence he ate his breakfast, except for a sharp rebuke to Billy Jack, who had been laboring throughout the meal to make cheerful conversation with Jessac and his mother. At his father's rebuke Billy Jack dropped his cheerful tone, and avoiding his mother's eyes, he assumed at once an attitude of open defiance, his tones and words plainly offering to his father war, if war he would have.
“You will come to me in the room after breakfast,” said his father, as Thomas rose to go to the stable.
“There's a meeting of the trustees at nine o'clock at the school-house at which Thomas must be present,” interposed Billy Jack, in firm, steady tones.
“He may go when I have done with him,” said his father, angrily, “and meantime you will attend to your own business.”
“Yes, sir, I will that!” Billy Jack's response came back with fierce promptness.
The old man glanced at him, caught the light in his eyes, hesitated a moment, and then, throwing all restraint to the winds, thundered out, “What do you mean, sir?”
“What I say. I am going to attend to my own business, and that soon.” Billy Jack's tone was quick, eager, defiant.
Again the old man hesitated, and then replied, “Go to it, then.”
“I am going, and I am going to take Thomas to that meeting at nine o'clock.”