﻿THE ANSWERING BLOW. 277 



The Answering Blow, 



BY NILLA FORRESTER. 



" WHY is your cheek so flushed, my boy, 



And why is your eye cast down?" 1 

 ** Why, mother, you see, that Harrison Gray 



Is the ugliest boy in town ! 

 We were out at play on the village-green ; 



I, with my bat and ball, 

 And it chanced to roll where Harry stood, 



And he, like a clown, must fall ! 



" And what do you think he said, mamma? 



Why, I did it on purpose, and so 

 He struck me right over my head, mamma, 



But I answered him blow for blow. 

 His nose just bled a little, and now 



He 's gone like a cry-baby home, 

 To make a complaint, and get me whipped 



You will see what a tale will come ! ' ' 



*' Oh, William, it grieves me much, to hear 



A story like this, and I " 



" But you see he struck me first, mamma, 



And he 's a bigger boy than I ! 

 I am sure you would not have me stand, 



A coward, afraid to strike? 

 Papa, I know, would do as I did. 



If a man should serve him the like !" 



*' But, William, 'tis wicked to quarrel and fight, 



And cowardly, bullying boys 

 Run about, with their fists ready-doubled for blows, 



And are known by their bluster and noise. 

 True courage consists in restraining the blow, 



And repressing each angry tone ; 

 1 T would have shamed Harry Gray had you told him the trih ; 



And manfully let him alone.' 



55 



" But, mother, he gave me no time for a word, 

 For he struck me before I could speak ; 



I meant to have told, but the first thing he did 

 Was to strike me a blow on the cheek ! 



