Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story. Read this excerpt from "Water Never Hurt a Man" by Wal
ter D. Edmonds. "Take off your pants, dearie," said the boy in a mock voice, digging in his fingers till John winced. "Joe Buller can handle your Captain smart enough. Me, I'll just paddle you to learn you." John, looking up, was afraid. He did not know what to do, but without warning his hands acted for him, and he struck at the square face with all his might. Which statement best describes the interaction between the characters in this excerpt? When John strikes the boy, it shows his inner rage. When the boy speaks to John, it shows that the boy is a bully and is antagonizing violence. When the boy taunts John, it shows that the boy is jealous of John’s intelligence. When John is intimated by the boy, it shows that he is weak and unable to stand up for himself.
