Therefore, because I didn't feel like answering, I showed my independence by remaining silent.
"What's the matter ?" he demanded, impatiently.

"Are you deaf?
I say we want to go to Bayport." A newspaper joke which I had recently read came to my mind.

"Very well," I said, "you have my permission." It was a rude thing to say, and not even original.

I don't attempt to excuse it.

In fact, I was sorry as soon as I had said it.