"Yes; I should like a moment's conversation with you. Take the arm-chair."
Silently the order was obeyed. As I looked at the thin wrists and ankles, the slight frame made the slighter by the loose American-cut trousers, I appreciated the justice of Loring's remark about 'hitting a girl.'
"What have I done now?" he asked wearily.
Loring propped his back against the wall.
"Look here, young man, does it amuse you to be thrashed once in ten days?"
O'Rane's eyes burned with defiance.
"Guess I can hold out as long as you."
"That wasn't my question," said Loring. "Does it ...?"
"D'you think it amuses anyone to be thrashed by Dainton?"
"No. And it doesn't amuse Dainton to thrash you, or the rest of us to have to look on. I don't know whether you think you'll tire us out. If you do, it's only fair to warn you that as long as I am head of this house I propose to see that the rules are obeyed."