I don't know anything
about it."
"Will you dare to tell me such a falsehood as that again?"
exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore, angrily, taking him by the collar and
shaking him roughly.
"Let me alone now," whined the culprit. "I want my dinner, I say."
"You'll get no dinner to-day, I can tell you," replied his
brother. "I am going to lock you into your bedroom, and keep you
there until your father comes home; and then if _he_ doesn't
give you the flogging you deserve, _I_ will; for I intend you
shall have your deserts for once in your life. I know that all
this is in revenge for Elsie's forced testimony in the affair of
the watch, and I gave you fair warning then that I would see to it
that any attempt to abuse my child should receive its just
reward."
He took the boy by the arm as he spoke, to lead him from the room.
At first Arthur seemed disposed to resist; but soon, seeing how
useless it was to contend against such odds, he resigned himself
to his fate, saying sullenly, "You wouldn't treat me this way if
mamma was at home."
"She is not, however, as it happens, though I can tell you that
even _she_ could not save you now," replied his brother, as
he opened the bedroom door, and pushing him in, locked it upon
him, and put the key in his pocket.
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