You are hesitating now." "I hesitate ?" he interrupted, giving his mother a cold, keen glance.
"Ah! well, you don't know me.

I would set the whole town on fire if it were necessary, and I wanted to warm my feet.

But, understand me, I've no desire to take the wrong road! I'm tired of eating hard bread, and I hope to play fortune a trick.

But I only play for certainties." He spoke these words so sharply, with such a keen longing for success, that his mother recognised the cry of her own blood.
"Your father is very brave," she whispered.
"Yes, I've seen him," he resumed with a sneer.

"He's got a fine look on him! He reminded me of Leonidas at Thermopylae.