Tang Ciaco went to the house, cursing in a loud voice. Passingthe dead puppy, he picked it up by its hind legs and flung itaway. The black and white body soared through the sunlitair; fell among the tall corn behind the house.
When the mother of the puppies returned, she licked the remaining four by the small bridge of woven split bamboo. She lay down in the dust and suckled her young. She did not seem to miss the blackspotted puppy.
Nana Elang knelt by her children and dusted their clothes. She passed her hand over the red welts on Baldo, but Baldo shook himself away. He was still trying to stop sobbing, wiping his tears away with his forearm. Nana Elang put one arm around Ambo. She sucked the wound in his hand.
Afterward Baldo and Ambo searched among the tall corn for the body of the dead puppy. When they found the dead dog, they buried it in one corner of the field. Baldo dug the grove with a sharp-pointed stake. Ambo stood silently by, holding the dead puppy. With difficulty they rolled a big stone on top of the grave. Then Baldo wound an arm around the shoulders of Ambo and without a word they hurried up to the house.
Ambo grabbed the tail of the puppy and jerked hard. The puppy howled shrilly and Baldo let it go, but Ambo kept hold of the tail as the dog fell to the ground. Its sharp little teeth sank into the fleshy edge of Ambo’s palm. With a cry, Ambo snatched away his hand from the mouth of the enraged puppy. At that moment the window of the house facing the street was pushed violently open and the boys’ father, Tang Ciaco, looked out and got outside. He saw the blood from the toothmarks on Ambo’s hand.
Fools! Don’t you see it is mad?
The dog has gone mad!
Baldo and Ambo awaited the coming of their father with fear written on their faces. Baldo watched him now with half a mind to flee as Tang Ciaco approached with the piece of firewood held firmly in one hand. Tang Ciaco blew the puppy away and was flung into the air.
Enough, father, enough. Don’t beat it anymore
Tang Ciaco dealt the battered puppy another blow and at last it lay limpy still and kicked it over. The puppy did not move where it lay twisted on its side. He turned his attention to Baldo who fell to the dust while crying.
Tang Ciaco struck him with the piece of wood in his hand and again told him to get up. He took hold of one of the boy’s arms and jerked him to his feet. Then he began to beat him, regardless of where the blows fell.
Shameless son of awhore. Stand still, I’ll teach you to obey me.
Get up!
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