He shouted and stamped his feet.

He said I'd rot in prison.

And I've never been beaten either by my father or mother; they love me because I'm their only son.

Everyone gets beaten everywhere, but I never!" He closed his eyes for a moment, compressed his lips, tossed his hair back with a quick gesture of both hands, and looking at Pavel with reddening eyes, said: "If anybody ever strikes me, I will thrust my whole body into him like a knife--I will bite my teeth into him--I'd rather he'd kill me at once and be done!" "To defend yourself is your right," said Pavel.

"But take care not to attack!" "You are delicate and thin," observed the mother.