"And not be afraid?"
"Sure."
"You're a liar!"
"Don't you call me nasty names!" shouted the boy. Liar was the improper noun, indeed. It seemed to be the worst thing you could call a person.
Lantry was completely furious with the little monster. "Look," he insisted. "Look into my eyes...."
The boy looked.
Lantry bared his teeth slightly. He put out his hands, making a clawlike gesture. He leered and gesticulated and wrinkled his face into a terrible mask of horror.
"Ho ho," said the boy. "You're funny."
"What did you say?"
"You're funny. Do it again. Hey, gang, c'mere! This man does funny things!"