His right hand was twisted in Jimmy's collar; and there was an expression of cold rage on his face--despite the smile he gave her when she looked at him--that chilled her.
But she made no objection when Lawler walked to a chair that stood on the platform, dragging the now protesting Jimmy after him by the scruff of the neck.

There was something of majestic deliberation in Lawler's movements, she thought, as he seated himself in the chair and placed the struggling Jimmy across his knees.
Ruth had never entertained a bloodthirsty thought, but her passions were very near that point when she saw Lawler's large, capable right hand begin to descend upon Jimmy's anatomy.

She gasped at first, at Lawler's temerity; and then she stepped back and watched him, her heart singing with approval.
Lawler's capable right hand descended many times with a force that brought dismal howls from the unlucky culprit--so many times and with such force that the girl began to fear that Jimmy would be fatally injured.

Jimmy likewise entertained that fear, for his howls grew more shrill, laden with mingled terror and pain, until the piercing appeal of them sent the other pupils out of their seats and into the open shouting that Jimmy was being "killed." Then, just when Ruth decided to protest, Lawler swung Jimmy around and placed him upright upon the platform.

What Lawler said to Jimmy, Ruth did not hear, so low was his voice.