И проиграли бой

           "Don’thurthimtoomuch."

           "Iwantabillboard,"saidMac,"Notacorpse.Allright,kid.Iguessyou’reforit."Theboytriedtoretreat.Hebentdown,tryingtocower.Mactookhimfirmlybytheshoulder.Hisrightfistworkedinquick,shorthammerblows,oneafteranother.Thenosecrackedflat,theothereyeclosed,andthedarkbruisesformedonthecheeks.Theboyjerkedaboutwildlytoescapetheshort,precisestrokes.Suddenlythetorturestopped."Untiehim,"Macsaid.Hewipedhisbloodyfistontheboy’sleatherjacket."Itdidn’thurtmuch,"hesaid."You’llshowupprettyinhighschool.Nowshutupyourbawling.Tellthekidsintownwhat’swaitin’for’em."

           "ShallIwashhisface?"Londonasked.

           "Hell,no!Idoasurgeon’sjob,andyouwanttospoilit.YouthinkIlikedit?"

           "Idon’tknow,"saidLondon.

           Theprisoner’shandswerefreenow.Hesobbedsoftly.Macsaid,"Listentome,kid.Youaren’thurtbad.Yournoseisbusted,butthat’sall.Ifanybodyherebutmedidit,you’dofbeenhurtbad.Nowyoutellyourlittleplaymatesthatthenextonegetshislegbroke,andthenextoneafterthatgetsbothhislegsbroke.Getme——?Isaid,didyougetme?"

           "Yes."

           "O.K.Takehimdowntheroadandturnhimloose."Theguardstooktheboyunderthearmsandhelpedhimoutofthetent.Macsaid,"London,maybeyoubetterputoutpatrolstoseeifthere’sanymorekiddieswithcannons."

           "I’lldoit,"saidLondon.HehadkepthiseyesonMacthewholetime,watchinghimwithhorror."Jesus,you’reacruelbastard,Mac.Icanunda’standaguygettin’madan’doin’it,butyouwasn’tmad."