He was seasoned wood, and took the world pretty wisely; not reckless of castigation, as some boys become, nor oversensitive as to dishonour, as his friend and comrade beside him was.
Richard's blood was poisoned.

He had the fever on him severely.

He would not allow stone-flinging, because it was a habit of his to discountenance it.

Mere gentlemanly considerations has scarce shielded Farmer Blaize, and certain very ungentlemanly schemes were coming to ghastly heads in the tumult of his brain; rejected solely from their glaring impracticability even to his young intelligence.

A sweeping and consummate vengeance for the indignity alone should satisfy him.
Something tremendous must be done; and done without delay.