Everything that went wrong in that ill-managed household, was always in
some mysterious way due to his shortcomings, but nothing had ever yet
made him tell a lie, and in their hearts they knew it.
"I haven't seen it," he repeated, and there was absolute truth in the
clear brown eyes, and Mrs. Fowley shifted her own uneasily as he looked
at her.
But she said aloud, "He wants something to break down his spirit,
Fowley, he ain't half so biddable as he used to be, and now he's passed
the standard and can go to work, we shan't live for his pride and
upstartness."
Now, Dick had not once refused to obey her commands, but since Paddy
had told him about his uncle, and the possibility of going next year to
find him and independence at the same time, the new hope had given him
a bolder bearing.
There were times when he quite forgot to be afraid of blows and short
rations, and when sharp words passed over him almost unheard. He was
so sure the way would be made plain for him, and that his bondage would
soon be at an end.
"Impudent, is he?" said Fowley, with an ugly scowl on his face, as he
turned to the corner where the cruel strap was hung, to be the terror
of all the children.
"I'll teach you manners, you young thief that we've kep' out of the
workhouse and supported for nothing all these years.
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