"If I had been disposed to deal generously with you——" he began.
"You never were so disposed," Ralph interposed bitingly. "You did your worst before you came. We understand now why you kept away so long. I wonder you are not ashamed to show your face here now."
"Cannot you put a muzzle on this wild beast?" the squire said, turning to David.
"He has not spoken to you very respectfully," David replied slowly, "but there's no denying the truth of much that he has said."
"Indeed! Then let me tell you I am glad you will have to clear out of the parish."
"You would have been glad if I could have been cleared out of the parish before the last election," David said insinuatingly.
"I have never interfered with your politics since you came."
"You had no right to; but you've intimidated a great many others, as everybody in the division knows."
Sir John grew violently red again, and turned on his heel. He had meant to be conciliatory when he came, and to prove to David, if possible, that he had dealt by him very considerately, and even generously. But the tables had been turned on him unexpectedly, and he had been insulted to his face.
"This is the result of the Board schools," he reflected to himself angrily. "I always said that education would be the ruin of the working classes. They learn enough to make them impertinent and discontented, and then they are flung adrift to insult their betters and undermine our most sacred institutions. That young fellow will be a curse to society if he's allowed to go on. If I could have my way, I'd lock him up for a year. He's evidently infected his father with his notions, and he'll go on infecting other people." And he faced round again, with an angry look in his eyes.