Retaining a kindly sarcastic and encouraging tone in his relation toward his son, Ignat began to treat him more strictly.

He censured him for each and every trifle and constantly reminded him that he brought him up freely; that he was never in his way and that he never beat him.
"Other fathers beat fellows like yourself with logs of wood.

And I never even touched you with a finger." "Evidently I didn't deserve it," said Foma one day, calmly.
Ignat became angry at his son for these words and for the tone.
"Don't talk so much!" he roared.

"You've picked up courage because of the softness of my hand.

You find an answer to every word I say.