I stay no longer." "What I do you dare to give me notice?
Stop at least for your wages." He took down the heavy gig whip hanging beside his mackintosh.
I permitted myself to laugh with a degree of scorn I took no pains to temper or hide.

His fury boiled up, and when he had sworn half-a-dozen vulgar, impious oaths, without, however, venturing to lift the whip, he continued: "I've found you out and know you thoroughly, you mean, whining lickspittle! What have you been saying all over X---- about me?
answer me that!" "You?
I have neither inclination nor temptation to talk about you." "You lie! It is your practice to talk about me; it is your constant habit to make public complaint of the treatment you receive at my hands.
You have gone and told it far and near that I give you low wages and knock you about like a dog.

I wish you were a dog! I'd set-to this minute, and never stir from the spot till I'd cut every strip of flesh from your bones with this whip." He flourished his tool.

The end of the lash just touched my forehead.
A warm excited thrill ran through my veins, my blood seemed to give abound, and then raced fast and hot along its channels.

I got up nimbly, came round to where he stood, and faced him.
"Down with your whip!" said I, "and explain this instant what you mean." "Sirrah! to whom are you speaking ?" "To you.