"You spoke to me and I answered." "Ropes hurt ?" said Mark, after a pause, during which he could find nothing else to say.
Ralph smiled.
"Look for yourself," he said.

"They don't quite cut to the bone." "Our mine lads are strong," said Mark proudly.

"Strong enough to beat your wretched set of servants if ever they dare come up here." "So brave and strong that you are glad to hire a gang of ruffianly soldiers to help you," said Ralph scornfully.
"What?
Those fellows in rags and rust?
Pooh! We would not have them." Ralph opened his eyes a little wider.
"The Edens want no paid help of that kind.

We're strong enough to come and take your place whenever we like; but as you won't be there, it will not matter to you." "No," said Ralph, who was sick with pain, and faint from the throbbing caused by his bonds.
"But it would be a pity for my father to have you hung as a scarecrow," said Mark mockingly.

"I don't like to see such things about.