Answer:
The beating is a symbol of guilt and anxiety. The main character was anxious that he killed the man, though he was happy. But his panic came to his mind quick. The beating was his guilt of killing the man, and it was in his head. The officers never heard or knew, the main character was so full of that guilt and so he told on himself.
Step-by-step explanation:
no lie that was my favorite part. I recite it every night to help me go to sleep