And now, hence from this table.

Let me not see your face till the Sabbath is past, and then, if the Lord spares me, I shall deal with you." Thomas hesitated a moment as if he had not quite taken in his father's words, then, leaving his supper untouched, he rose slowly, and without a word climbed the ladder to the loft.

The mother followed him a moment with her eyes, and then once more turning to Billy Jack, held him with calm, steady gaze.

Her immediate fear was for her eldest son.

Thomas, she knew, would in the mean time simply suffer what might be his lot, but for many a day she had lived in terror of an outbreak between her eldest son and her husband.