The elder, with an imprecation, thrust Desmond into the open, hauled him some distance down the path, and then beat him heavily about the shoulders. He stood a foot higher, his arm was strong, his grip firm as a vice; resistance would have been vain; but Desmond knew better than to resist. He bent to the cruel blows without a wince or a murmur. Only, his face was very pale when, the bully’s arm being tired and his breath spent, he was flung away and permitted to stagger to the house. He crawled painfully up the wainscoted staircase and into the dark corridor leading to his bedroom. Halfway down this he paused, felt with his hand along the wall, and discovering by this means that a door was ajar, stood listening. "Is that you, Desmond?" said a low voice within. "Yes, mother," he replied, commanding his voice, and quietly entering. "I hoped you were asleep." "I could not sleep until you came in, dear. I heard Dick’s voice. What is the matter? Your hand is trembling, Desmond." "Nothing, mother, as usual." A mother’s ears are quick; and Mrs. Burke detected the quiver that Desmond tried to still. She tightened her clasp on his hot hand. "Did he strike you, dear?" "It was nothing, mother. I am used to that." "My poor boy! But what angered him? Why do you offend your brother?" "Offend him!" exclaimed the boy passionately, but still in a low tone. "Everything I do offends him. I went to see General Clive; I wished to; that is enough for Dick. Mother, I am sick of it all." "Never mind, dear. A little patience. Dick doesn’t understand you. You should humour him, Desmond." "Haven’t I tried, mother? Haven’t I? But what is the use? He treats me worse than any carter on the farm. I drudge for him, and he bullies me, miscalls me before the men, thrashes me--oh, mother! I can’t endure it any longer. Let me go away, anywhere; anything would be better than this!" Desmond was quivering with pain and indignation; only with difficulty did he keep back the tears. "Hush, Desmond!" said his mother. "Dick will hear you. You are tired out, dear boy; go to bed; things will look brighter in the morning. Only have patience. Good-night, my son."