In a sense, it was easier when Elijah shouted. Then he could just shout back. Ben stood still, hands still in his hair as he took in Elijah's words. Then he slowly sat down on the edge of the bed and put his elbows on his knees. He looked down at his hands.
"He's a thief, Elijah. And I'm not even talking about petty pickpocketing, that might get him a week in a cell and a fine. The amount of money Rose found... And he's done it again. He admitted it was stolen. What am I to do? Turn him in? He ought to go to prison. It's a wicked thing. But am I not to try to save my son? Get him off that path he's goin' down. So I give him a whippin' instead, and that was mercy and I hope it'll deter him in the future. But he does it again..." He shook his head.