He would not have cared so much had they been alone, but some of the younger boys were present, and it shamed him to be threatened in their presence.
"I will tell you how it happened," he said, suppressing his anger as well as he could, "and you will see that I was not in fault." "Speak on, then," said his uncle; but his tone was cold and incredulous.
Pietro told the story, as we know it.

It will not be necessary to repeat it.

When he had finished, his uncle said, with a sneer, "So you were afraid of a woman.

I am ashamed of you." "What could I do ?" pleaded Pietro.
"What could you do ?" repeated the padrone, furiously; "you could push her aside, run into the house, and secure the boy.

You are a coward--afraid of a woman!" "It was her house," said Pietro.