Once Tam darted a terrified glance over his shoulder and saw Kim sprawled across the writing - table ; white faced and trembling from head to toe , he had his eyes closed and his fists were clenched tight as he summoned up every last ounce of courage in his eleven - year - old body to endure his father 's beating without weeping or crying out .
Once Tam darted a terrified glance over his shoulder and saw Kim sprawled across the writing - table ; white faced and trembling from head to toe , he had his eyes closed and his fists were clenched tight as he summoned up every ounce of courage in his eleven - year - old body to endure his father 's beating without weeping or crying out .