A hail of inharmonious air was grieving under the roof.
The little boy was silenced and confused. For once, he cocked his head aside, clenched his fi sts and gritted his teeth, as if going to fi ght back but fi nding himself not brave enough. His lower lip was hidden behind his upper lip. He reacted exactly the same as his brother. There seemed to be no better explanation than that the punishment was mildly eff ective.
Mei felt a sudden impulse to flee from those skeptical faces, to hide for a good weep. Her temples pulsed. But her limbs were tied with many bricks. As calmly as she could manage to behave, she warned the boys, “This is everybody’s TV. No more fi ghting!”