This act of decided
resistance was, however, followed by no effort to escape. The moment his
person was released from a confinement which he probably considered as
implying distrust of his ability to endure pain with the fortitude of a
warrior, the lad turned quietly and proudly to his captor, and, with an
eye in which scorn and haughtiness were alike glowing, seemed to defy the
fulness of his anger.
"Be it so," resumed the equal-minded Content, "if thou likest not the
bonds, which, notwithstanding the pride of man, are often healthful to the
body, keep then the use of thy limbs, and see that they do no mischief.
Whittal, look thou to the postern and remember it is forbidden to go
afield, until my father hath had this heathen under examination. The cub
is seldom found far from the cunning of the aged bear."
He then made a sign to the boy to follow, and proceeded to the apartment
where his father, surrounded by most of the family, awaited their coming.
Uncompromising domestic discipline was one of the striking characteristics
of the sway of the Puritans.
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