“But regardless of the fact that you knew my wishes and preferences in the matter perfectly, regardless of my warnings, my whippings, my admonitions—just like you did that picnic day with the Gridley girl—you’ve deliberately disobeyed me, haven’t you? You may answer me that too! What?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then what’s the answer? What is it you deserve—deserve terribly?”
“Nothing, sir!”
“What?”
“I said ‘Nothing’!”
“Nothing!”
“Precisely! Nothing! You can’t lay down a law that runs contrary to human nature and expect obedience.”
“Nathan—I’m—going—to—kill you!”
The boy never batted an eyelid.