第2章

internallyadded，\'theymaysaywhattheyplease，butIamdeterminedyoushalldonothingofthekind，aslongasIhavepowertopreventit。\'

Henexttookmeacrossthelawntoseehismole-traps，andthenintothestack-yardtoseehisweasel-traps:oneofwhich，tohisgreatjoy，containedadeadweasel；andthenintothestabletosee，notthefinecarriage-horses，butalittleroughcolt，whichheinformedmehadbeenbredonpurposeforhim，andhewastorideitassoonasitwasproperlytrained。Itriedtoamusethelittlefellow，andlistenedtoallhischatterascomplacentlyasIcould；

forIthoughtifhehadanyaffectionsatall，Iwouldendeavourtowinthem；andthen，intime，Imightbeabletoshowhimtheerrorofhisways:butIlookedinvainforthatgenerous，noblespirithismothertalkedof；thoughIcouldseehewasnotwithoutacertaindegreeofquicknessandpenetration，whenhechosetoexertit。

Whenwere-enteredthehouseitwasnearlytea-time。MasterTomtoldmethat，aspapawasfromhome，heandIandMaryAnnweretohaveteawithmamma，foratreat；for，onsuchoccasions，shealwaysdinedatluncheon-timewiththem，insteadofatsixo\'clock。

Soonaftertea，MaryAnnwenttobed，butTomfavoureduswithhiscompanyandconversationtilleight。Afterhewasgone，Mrs。

Bloomfieldfurtherenlightenedmeonthesubjectofherchildren\'sdispositionsandacquirements，andonwhattheyweretolearn，andhowtheyweretobemanaged，andcautionedmetomentiontheirdefectstonoonebutherself。MymotherhadwarnedmebeforetomentionthemaslittleaspossibletoHER，forpeopledidnotliketobetoldoftheirchildren\'sfaults，andsoIconcludedIwastokeepsilenceonthemaltogether。Abouthalf-pastnine，Mrs。

Bloomfieldinvitedmetopartakeofafrugalsupperofcoldmeatandbread。Iwasgladwhenthatwasover，andshetookherbedroomcandlestickandretiredtorest；forthoughIwishedtobepleasedwithher，hercompanywasextremelyirksometome；andIcouldnothelpfeelingthatshewascold，grave，andforbidding-theveryoppositeofthekind，warm-heartedmatronmyhopeshaddepictedhertobe。

chapter03

CHAPTERIII-AFEWMORELESSONS

IROSEnextmorningwithafeelingofhopefulexhilaration，inspiteofthedisappointmentsalreadyexperienced；butIfoundthedressingofMaryAnnwasnolightmatter，asherabundanthairwastobesmearedwithpomade，plaitedinthreelongtails，andtiedwithbowsofribbon:ataskmyunaccustomedfingersfoundgreatdifficultyinperforming。Shetoldmehernursecoulddoitinhalfthetime，and，bykeepingupaconstantfidgetofimpatience，contrivedtorendermestilllonger。Whenallwasdone，wewentintotheschoolroom，whereImetmyotherpupil，andchattedwiththetwotillitwastimetogodowntobreakfast。Thatmealbeingconcluded，andafewcivilwordshavingbeenexchangedwithMrs。

Bloomfield，werepairedtotheschoolroomagain，andcommencedthebusinessoftheday。Ifoundmypupilsverybackward，indeed；

butTom，thoughaversetoeveryspeciesofmentalexertion，wasnotwithoutabilities。MaryAnncouldscarcelyreadaword，andwassocarelessandinattentivethatIcouldhardlygetonwithheratall。However，bydintofgreatlabourandpatience，Imanagedtogetsomethingdoneinthecourseofthemorning，andthenaccompaniedmyyoungchargeoutintothegardenandadjacentgrounds，foralittlerecreationbeforedinner。Therewegotalongtolerablytogether，exceptthatIfoundtheyhadnonotionofgoingwithme:Imustgowiththem，wherevertheychosetoleadme。

I

mustrun，walk，orstand，exactlyasitsuitedtheirfancy。This，Ithought，wasreversingtheorderofthings；andIfounditdoublydisagreeable，asonthisaswellassubsequentoccasions，theyseemedtopreferthedirtiestplacesandthemostdismaloccupations。Buttherewasnoremedy；eitherImustfollowthem，orkeepentirelyapartfromthem，andthusappearneglectfulofmycharge。To-day，theymanifestedaparticularattachmenttoawellatthebottomofthelawn，wheretheypersistedindabblingwithsticksandpebblesforabovehalfanhour。Iwasinconstantfearthattheirmotherwouldseethemfromthewindow，andblamemeforallowingthemthustodraggletheirclothesandwettheirfeetandhands，insteadoftakingexercise；butnoarguments，commands，orentreatiescoulddrawthemaway。IfSHEdidnotseethem，someoneelsedid-agentlemanonhorsebackhadenteredthegateandwasproceedinguptheroad；atthedistanceofafewpacesfromushepaused，andcallingtothechildreninawaspishpenetratingtone，badethem\'keepoutofthatwater。\'\'MissGrey，\'saidhe，\'(I

supposeitISMissGrey)，Iamsurprisedthatyoushouldallowthemtodirtytheirclothesinthatmanner!Don\'tyouseehowMissBloomfieldhassoiledherfrock？andthatMasterBloomfield\'ssocksarequitewet？andbothofthemwithoutgloves？Dear，dear!

LetmeREQUESTthatinfutureyouwillkeepthemDECENTatleast!\'sosaying，heturnedaway，andcontinuedhisrideuptothehouse。

ThiswasMr。Bloomfield。IwassurprisedthatheshouldnominatehischildrenMasterandMissBloomfield；andstillmoreso，thatheshouldspeaksouncivillytome，theirgoverness，andaperfectstrangertohimself。Presentlythebellrangtosummonusin。

I

dinedwiththechildrenatone，whileheandhisladytooktheirluncheonatthesametable。Hisconducttheredidnotgreatlyraisehiminmyestimation。Hewasamanofordinarystature-

ratherbelowthanabove-andratherthinthanstout，apparentlybetweenthirtyandfortyyearsofage:hehadalargemouth，pale，dingycomplexion，milkyblueeyes，andhairthecolourofahempencord。Therewasaroastlegofmuttonbeforehim:hehelpedMrs。

Bloomfield，thechildren，andme，desiringmetocutupthechildren\'smeat；then，aftertwistingaboutthemuttoninvariousdirections，andeyeingitfromdifferentpoints，hepronounceditnotfittobeeaten，andcalledforthecoldbeef。

\'Whatisthematterwiththemutton，mydear？\'askedhismate。

\'Itisquiteoverdone。Don\'tyoutaste，Mrs。Bloomfield，thatallthegoodnessisroastedoutofit？Andcan\'tyouseethatallthatnice，redgravyiscompletelydriedaway？\'

\'Well，IthinktheBEEFwillsuityou。\'

Thebeefwassetbeforehim，andhebegantocarve，butwiththemostruefulexpressionsofdiscontent。

\'WhatisthematterwiththeBEEF，Mr。Bloomfield？I\'msureI

thoughtitwasverynice。\'

\'AndsoitWASverynice。Anicerjointcouldnotbe；butitisQUITEspoiled，\'repliedhe，dolefully。

\'Howso？\'

\'Howso!Why，don\'tyouseehowitiscut？Dear-dear!

itisquiteshocking!\'

\'Theymusthavecutitwronginthekitchen，then，forI\'msureI

carveditquiteproperlyhere，yesterday。\'

\'NoDOUBTtheycutitwronginthekitchen-thesavages!Dear-

dear!Dideveranyoneseesuchafinepieceofbeefsocompletelyruined？Butrememberthat，infuture，whenadecentdishleavesthistable，theyshallnotTOUCHitinthekitchen。RememberTHAT，Mrs。Bloomfield!\'

Notwithstandingtheruinousstateofthebeef，thegentlemanmanagedtoouthimselfsomedelicateslices，partofwhichheateinsilence。Whenhenextspoke，itwas，inalessqueruloustone，toaskwhattherewasfordinner。

\'Turkeyandgrouse，\'wastheconcisereply。

\'Andwhatbesides？\'

\'Fish。\'

\'Whatkindoffish？\'

\'Idon\'tknow。\'

\'YOUDON\'TKNOW？\'criedhe，lookingsolemnlyupfromhisplate，andsuspendinghisknifeandforkinastonishment。

\'No。Itoldthecooktogetsomefish-Ididnotparticularizewhat。\'

\'Well，thatbeatseverything!Aladyprofessestokeephouse，anddoesn\'tevenknowwhatfishisfordinner!professestoorderfish，anddoesn\'tspecifywhat!\'

\'Perhaps，Mr。Bloomfield，youwillorderdinneryourselfinfuture。\'

Nothingmorewassaid；andIwasverygladtogetoutoftheroomwithmypupils；forIneverfeltsoashamedanduncomfortableinmylifeforanythingthatwasnotmyownfault。

Intheafternoonweappliedtolessonsagain:thenwentoutagain；

thenhadteaintheschoolroom；thenIdressedMaryAnnfordessert；andwhensheandherbrotherhadgonedowntothedining-

room，Itooktheopportunityofbeginningalettertomydearfriendsathome:butthechildrencameupbeforeIhadhalfcompletedit。AtsevenIhadtoputMaryAnntobed；thenIplayedwithTomtilleight，whenhe，too，went；andIfinishedmyletterandunpackedmyclothes，whichIhadhithertofoundnoopportunityfordoing，and，finally，wenttobedmyself。

Butthisisaveryfavourablespecimenofaday\'sproceedings。

Mytaskofinstructionandsurveillance，insteadofbecomingeasierasmychargesandIgotbetteraccustomedtoeachother，becamemorearduousastheircharactersunfolded。Thenameofgoverness，Isoonfound，wasameremockeryasappliedtome:mypupilshadnomorenotionofobediencethanawild，unbrokencolt。Thehabitualfearoftheirfather\'speevishtemper，andthedreadofthepunishmentshewaswonttoinflictwhenirritated，keptthemgenerallywithinboundsinhisimmediatepresence。Thegirls，too，hadsomefearoftheirmother\'sanger；andtheboymightoccasionallybebribedtodoasshebidhimbythehopeofreward；

butIhadnorewardstooffer；andasforpunishments，Iwasgiventounderstand，theparentsreservedthatprivilegetothemselves；

andyettheyexpectedmetokeepmypupilsinorder。Otherchildrenmightbeguidedbythefearofangerandthedesireofapprobation；butneithertheonenortheotherhadanyeffectuponthese。

MasterTom，notcontentwithrefusingtoberuled，mustneedssetupasaruler，andmanifestedadeterminationtokeep，notonlyhissisters，buthisgovernessinorder，byviolentmanualandpedalapplications；and，ashewasatall，strongboyofhisyears，thisoccasionednotriflinginconvenience。Afewsoundboxesontheear，onsuchoccasions，mighthavesettledthemattereasilyenough:butas，inthatcase，hemightmakeupsomestorytohismotherwhichshewouldbesuretobelieve，asshehadsuchunshakenfaithinhisveracity-thoughIhadalreadydiscoveredittobebynomeansunimpeachable-Ideterminedtorefrainfromstrikinghim，eveninself-defence；and，inhismostviolentmoods，myonlyresourcewastothrowhimonhisbackandholdhishandsandfeettillthefrenzywassomewhatabated。Tothedifficultyofpreventinghimfromdoingwhatheoughtnot，wasaddedthatofforcinghimtodowhatheought。Oftenhewouldpositivelyrefusetolearn，ortorepeathislessons，oreventolookathisbook。

Here，again，agoodbirchrodmighthavebeenserviceable；but，asmypowersweresolimited，ImustmakethebestuseofwhatIhad。

Astherewerenosettledhoursforstudyandplay，Iresolvedtogivemypupilsacertaintask，which，withmoderateattention，theycouldperforminashorttime；andtillthiswasdone，howeverwearyIwas，orhoweverperversetheymightbe，nothingshortofparentalinterferenceshouldinducemetosufferthemtoleavetheschoolroom，evenifIshouldsitwithmychairagainstthedoortokeepthemin。Patience，Firmness，andPerseveranceweremyonlyweapons；andtheseIresolvedtousetotheutmost。IdeterminedalwaysstrictlytofulfilthethreatsandpromisesImade；and，tothatend，ImustbecautioustothreatenandpromisenothingthatI

couldnotperform。Then，Iwouldcarefullyrefrainfromalluselessirritabilityandindulgenceofmyownill-temper:whentheybehavedtolerably，Iwouldbeaskindandobligingasitwasinmypowertobe，inordertomakethewidestpossibledistinctionbetweengoodandbadconduct；Iwouldreasonwiththem，too，inthesimplestandmosteffectivemanner。WhenIreprovedthem，orrefusedtogratifytheirwishes，afteraglaringfault，itshouldbemoreinsorrowthaninanger:theirlittlehymnsandprayersI

wouldmakeplainandcleartotheirunderstanding；whentheysaidtheirprayersatnightandaskedpardonfortheiroffences，Iwouldremindthemofthesinsofthepastday，solemnly，butinperfectkindness，toavoidraisingaspiritofopposition；penitentialhymnsshouldbesaidbythenaughty，cheerfulonesbythecomparativelygood；andeverykindofinstructionIwouldconveytothem，asmuchaspossible，byentertainingdiscourse-apparentlywithnootherobjectthantheirpresentamusementinview。

BythesemeansIhopedintimebothtobenefitthechildrenandtogaintheapprobationoftheirparents；andalsotoconvincemyfriendsathomethatIwasnotsowantinginskillandprudenceastheysupposed。IknewthedifficultiesIhadtocontendwithweregreat；butIknew(atleastIbelieved)unremittingpatienceandperseverancecouldovercomethem；andnightandmorningIimploredDivineassistancetothisend。Buteitherthechildrenweresoincorrigible，theparentssounreasonable，ormyselfsomistakeninmyviews，orsounabletocarrythemout，thatmybestintentionsandmoststrenuouseffortsseemedproductiveofnobetterresultthansporttothechildren，dissatisfactiontotheirparents，andtormenttomyself。

Thetaskofinstructionwasasarduousforthebodyasthemind。

I

hadtorunaftermypupilstocatchthem，tocarryordragthemtothetable，andoftenforciblytoholdthemtheretillthelessonwasdone。TomIfrequentlyputintoacorner，seatingmyselfbeforehiminachair，withabookwhichcontainedthelittletaskthatmustbesaidorread，beforehewasreleased，inmyhand。

Hewasnotstrongenoughtopushbothmeandthechairaway，sohewouldstandtwistinghisbodyandfaceintothemostgrotesqueandsingularcontortions-laughable，nodoubt，toanunconcernedspectator，butnottome-andutteringloudyellsanddolefuloutcries，intendedtorepresentweepingbutwhollywithouttheaccompanimentoftears。Iknewthiswasdonesolelyforthepurposeofannoyingme；and，therefore，howeverImightinwardlytremblewithimpatienceandirritation，Imanfullystrovetosuppressallvisiblesignsofmolestation，andaffectedtositwithcalmindifference，waitingtillitshouldpleasehimtoceasethispastime，andprepareforaruninthegarden，bycastinghiseyeonthebookandreadingorrepeatingthefewwordshewasrequiredtosay。Sometimeshewasdeterminedtodohiswritingbadly；andI

hadtoholdhishandtopreventhimfrompurposelyblottingordisfiguringthepaper。FrequentlyIthreatenedthat，ifhedidnotdobetter，heshouldhaveanotherline:thenhewouldstubbornlyrefusetowritethisline；andI，tosavemyword，hadfinallytoresorttotheexpedientofholdinghisfingersuponthepen，andforciblydrawinghishandupanddown，till，inspiteofhisresistance，thelinewasinsomesortcompleted。

YetTomwasbynomeansthemostunmanageableofmypupils:

sometimes，tomygreatjoy，hewouldhavethesensetoseethathiswisestpolicywastofinishhistasks，andgooutandamusehimselftillIandhissisterscametojoinhim；whichfrequentlywasnotatall，forMaryAnnseldomfollowedhisexampleinthisparticular:sheapparentlypreferredrollingonthefloortoanyotheramusement:downshewoulddroplikealeadenweight；andwhenI，withgreatdifficulty，hadsucceededinrootingherthence，Ihadstilltoholdherupwithonearm，whilewiththeotherI

heldthebookfromwhichshewastoreadorspellherlesson。

Asthedeadweightofthebiggirlofsixbecametooheavyforonearmtobear，Itransferredittotheother；or，ifbothwerewearyoftheburden，Icarriedherintoacorner，andtoldhershemightcomeoutwhensheshouldfindtheuseofherfeet，andstandup:

butshegenerallypreferredlyingtherelikealogtilldinnerorteatime，when，asIcouldnotdepriveherofhermeals，shemustbeliberated，andwouldcomecrawlingoutwithagrinoftriumphonherround，redface。Oftenshewouldstubbornlyrefusetopronouncesomeparticularwordinherlesson；andnowIregretthelostlabourIhavehadinstrivingtoconquerherobstinacy。IfI

hadpasseditoverasamatterofnoconsequence，itwouldhavebeenbetterforbothparties，thanvainlystrivingtoovercomeitasIdid；butIthoughtitmyabsolutedutytocrushthisvicioustendencyinthebud:andsoitwas，ifIcouldhavedoneit；andhadmypowersbeenlesslimited，Imighthaveenforcedobedience；

but，asitwas，itwasatrialofstrengthbetweenherandme，inwhichshegenerallycameoffvictorious；andeveryvictoryservedtoencourageandstrengthenherforafuturecontest。InvainI

argued，coaxed，entreated，threatened，scolded；invainIkeptherinfromplay，or，ifobligedtotakeherout，refusedtoplaywithher，ortospeakkindlyorhaveanythingtodowithher；invainI

triedtosetbeforehertheadvantagesofdoingasshewasbid，andbeingloved，andkindlytreatedinconsequence，andthedisadvantagesofpersistinginherabsurdperversity。Sometimes，whenshewouldaskmetodosomethingforher，Iwouldanswer，-

\'Yes，Iwill，MaryAnn，ifyouwillonlysaythatword。Come!

you\'dbettersayitatonce，andhavenomoretroubleaboutit。\'

\'No。\'

\'Then，ofcourse，Icandonothingforyou。\'

Withme，atherage，orunder，neglectanddisgracewerethemostdreadfulofpunishments；butonhertheymadenoimpression。

Sometimes，exasperatedtotheutmostpitch，Iwouldshakeherviolentlybytheshoulder，orpullherlonghair，orputherinthecorner；forwhichshepunishedmewithloud，shrill，piercingscreams，thatwentthroughmyheadlikeaknife。SheknewIhatedthis，andwhenshehadshriekedherutmost，wouldlookintomyfacewithanairofvindictivesatisfaction，exclaiming，-\'NOW，then!

THAT\'Sforyou!\'andthenshriekagainandagain，tillIwasforcedtostopmyears。OftenthesedreadfulcrieswouldbringMrs。

Bloomfielduptoinquirewhatwasthematter？

\'MaryAnnisanaughtygirl，ma\'am。\'

\'Butwhataretheseshockingscreams？\'

\'Sheisscreaminginapassion。\'

\'Ineverheardsuchadreadfulnoise!Youmightbekillingher。

Whyisshenotoutwithherbrother？\'

\'Icannotgethertofinishherlessons。\'

\'ButMaryAnnmustbeaGOODgirl，andfinishherlessons。\'Thiswasblandlyspokentothechild。\'AndIhopeIshallNEVERhearsuchterriblecriesagain!\'

Andfixinghercold，stonyeyesuponmewithalookthatcouldnotbemistaken，shewouldshutthedoor，andwalkaway。SometimesI

wouldtrytotakethelittleobstinatecreaturebysurprise，andcasuallyaskherthewordwhileshewasthinkingofsomethingelse；

frequentlyshewouldbegintosayit，andthensuddenlycheekherself，withaprovokinglookthatseemedtosay，\'Ah!I\'mtoosharpforyou；youshan\'ttrickitoutofme，either。\'

Onanotheroccasion，Ipretendedtoforgetthewholeaffair；andtalkedandplayedwithherasusual，tillnight，whenIputhertobed；thenbendingoverher，whileshelayallsmilesandgoodhumour，justbeforedeparting，Isaid，ascheerfullyandkindlyasbefore-\'Now，MaryAnn，justtellmethatwordbeforeIkissyougood-night。Youareagoodgirlnow，and，ofcourse，youwillsayit。\'

\'No，Iwon\'t。\'

\'ThenIcan\'tkissyou。\'

\'Well，Idon\'tcare。\'

InvainIexpressedmysorrow；invainIlingeredforsomesymptomofcontrition；shereally\'didn\'tcare，\'andIleftheralone，andindarkness，wonderingmostofallatthislastproofofinsensatestubbornness。InMYchildhoodIcouldnotimagineamoreafflictivepunishmentthanformymothertorefusetokissmeatnight:theveryideawasterrible。MorethantheideaI

neverfelt，for，happily，Inevercommittedafaultthatwasdeemedworthyofsuchpenalty；butonceIremember，forsometransgressionofmysister\'s，ourmotherthoughtpropertoinflictituponher:

whatSHEfelt，Icannottell；butmysympathetictearsandsufferingforhersakeIshallnotsoonforget。

AnothertroublesometraitinMaryAnnwasherincorrigiblepropensitytokeeprunningintothenursery，toplaywithherlittlesistersandthenurse。Thiswasnaturalenough，but，asitwasagainsthermother\'sexpressdesire，I，ofcourse，forbadehertodoso，anddidmyutmosttokeepherwithme；butthatonlyincreasedherrelishforthenursery，andthemoreIstrovetokeepheroutofit，theoftenershewent，andthelongershestayed，tothegreatdissatisfactionofMrs。Bloomfield，who，Iwellknew，wouldimputealltheblameofthemattertome。Anotherofmytrialswasthedressinginthemorning:atonetimeshewouldnotbewashed；atanothershewouldnotbedressed，unlessshemightwearsomeparticularfrock，thatIknewhermotherwouldnotlikehertohave；atanothershewouldscreamandrunawayifI

attemptedtotouchherhair。Sothat，frequently，when，aftermuchtroubleandtoil，Ihad，atlength，succeededinbringingherdown，thebreakfastwasnearlyhalfover；andblacklooksfrom\'mamma，\'

andtestyobservationsfrom\'papa，\'spokenatme，ifnottome，weresuretobemymeed:forfewthingsirritatedthelattersomuchaswantofpunctualityatmealtimes。Then，amongtheminorannoyances，wasmyinabilitytosatisfyMrs。Bloomfieldwithherdaughter\'sdress；andthechild\'shair\'wasneverfittobeseen。\'

Sometimes，asapowerfulreproachtome，shewouldperformtheofficeoftirewomanherself，andthencomplainbitterlyofthetroubleitgaveher。

WhenlittleFannycameintotheschoolroom，Ihopedshewouldbemildandinoffensive，atleast；butafewdays，ifnotafewhours，sufficedtodestroytheillusion:Ifoundheramischievous，intractablelittlecreature，givenuptofalsehoodanddeception，youngasshewas，andalarminglyfondofexercisinghertwofavouriteweaponsofoffenceanddefence:thatofspittinginthefacesofthosewhoincurredherdispleasure，andbellowinglikeabullwhenherunreasonabledesireswerenotgratified。Asshe，generally，wasprettyquietinherparents\'presence，andtheywereimpressedwiththenotionofherbeingaremarkablygentlechild，herfalsehoodswerereadilybelieved，andherlouduproarsledthemtosuspectharshandinjudicioustreatmentonmypart；andwhen，atlength，herbaddispositionbecamemanifesteventotheirprejudicedeyes，Ifeltthatthewholewasattributedtome。

\'WhatanaughtygirlFannyisgetting!\'Mrs。Bloomfieldwouldsaytoherspouse。\'Don\'tyouobserve，mydear，howsheisalteredsincesheenteredtheschoolroom？Shewillsoonbeasbadastheothertwo；and，Iamsorrytosay，theyhavequitedeterioratedoflate。\'

\'Youmaysaythat，\'wastheanswer。\'I\'vebeenthinkingthatsamemyself。Ithoughtwhenwegotthemagovernessthey\'dimprove；

but，insteadofthat，theygetworseandworse:Idon\'tknowhowitiswiththeirlearning，buttheirhabits，Iknow，makenosortofimprovement；theygetrougher，anddirtier，andmoreunseemlyeveryday。\'

Iknewthiswasallpointedatme；andthese，andallsimilarinnuendoes，affectedmefarmoredeeplythananyopenaccusationswouldhavedone；foragainstthelatterIshouldhavebeenrousedtospeakinmyowndefence:nowIjudgeditmywisestplantosubdueeveryresentfulimpulse，suppresseverysensitiveshrinking，andgoonperseveringly，doingmybest；for，irksomeasmysituationwas，Iearnestlywishedtoretainit。Ithought，ifI

couldstruggleonwithunremittingfirmnessandintegrity，thechildrenwouldintimebecomemorehumanized:everymonthwouldcontributetomakethemsomelittlewiser，and，consequently，moremanageable；forachildofnineortenasfranticandungovernableastheseatsixandsevenwouldbeamaniac。

IflatteredmyselfIwasbenefitingmyparentsandsisterbymycontinuancehere；forsmallasthesalarywas，Istillwasearningsomething，andwithstricteconomyIcouldeasilymanagetohavesomethingtospareforthem，iftheywouldfavourmebytakingit。

ThenitwasbymyownwillthatIhadgottheplace:Ihadbroughtallthistribulationonmyself，andIwasdeterminedtobearit；

nay，morethanthat，IdidnotevenregretthestepIhadtaken。

I

longedtoshowmyfriendsthat，evennow，Iwascompetenttoundertakethecharge，andabletoacquitmyselfhonourablytotheend；andifeverIfeltitdegradingtosubmitsoquietly，orintolerabletotoilsoconstantly，Iwouldturntowardsmyhome，andsaywithinmyself-

Theymaycrush，buttheyshallnotsubdueme!

\'TisoftheethatIthink，notofthem。

AboutChristmasIwasallowedtovisithome；butmyholidaywasonlyofafortnight\'sduration:\'For，\'saidMrs。Bloomfield，\'I

thought，asyouhadseenyourfriendssolately，youwouldnotcareforalongerstay。\'Ilefthertothinksostill:butshelittleknewhowlong，howwearisomethosefourteenweeksofabsencehadbeentome；howintenselyIhadlongedformyholidays，howgreatlyIwasdisappointedattheircurtailment。Yetshewasnottoblameinthis。Ihadnevertoldhermyfeelings，andshecouldnotbeexpectedtodivinethem；Ihadnotbeenwithherafullterm，andshewasjustifiedinnotallowingmeafullvacation。

chapter04

CHAPTERIV-THEGRANDMAMMA

ISPAREmyreaderstheaccountofmydelightoncominghome，myhappinesswhilethere-enjoyingabriefspaceofrestandlibertyinthatdear，familiarplace，amongthelovingandtheloved-andmysorrowonbeingobligedtobidthem，oncemore，alongadieu。

Ireturned，however，withunabatedvigourtomywork-amorearduoustaskthananyonecanimagine，whohasnotfeltsomethinglikethemiseryofbeingchargedwiththecareanddirectionofasetofmischievous，turbulentrebels，whomhisutmostexertionscannotbindtotheirduty；while，atthesametime，heisresponsiblefortheirconducttoahigherpower，whoexactsfromhimwhatcannotbeachievedwithouttheaidofthesuperior\'smorepotentauthority；which，eitherfromindolence，orthefearofbecomingunpopularwiththesaidrebelliousgang，thelatterrefusestogive。Icanconceivefewsituationsmoreharassingthanthatwherein，howeveryoumaylongforsuccess，howeveryoumaylabourtofulfilyourduty，youreffortsarebaffledandsetatnoughtbythosebeneathyou，andunjustlycensuredandmisjudgedbythoseabove。

Ihavenotenumeratedhalfthevexatiouspropensitiesofmypupils，orhalfthetroublesresultingfrommyheavyresponsibilities，forfearoftrespassingtoomuchuponthereader\'spatience；as，perhaps，Ihavealreadydone；butmydesigninwritingthefewlastpageswasnottoamuse，buttobenefitthosewhomitmightconcern；

hethathasnointerestinsuchmatterswilldoubtlesshaveskippedthemoverwithacursoryglance，and，perhaps，amaledictionagainsttheprolixityofthewriter；butifaparenthas，therefrom，gatheredanyusefulhint，oranunfortunategovernessreceivedtherebytheslightestbenefit，Iamwellrewardedformypains。

Toavoidtroubleandconfusion，Ihavetakenmypupilsonebyone，anddiscussedtheirvariousqualities；butthiscangivenoadequateideaofbeingworriedbythewholethreetogether；when，aswasoftenthecase，allweredeterminedto\'benaughty，andtoteaseMissGrey，andputherinapassion。\'

Sometimes，onsuchoccasions，thethoughthassuddenlyoccurredtome-\'Iftheycouldseemenow!\'meaning，ofcourse，myfriendsathome；andtheideaofhowtheywouldpitymehasmademepitymyself-sogreatlythatIhavehadtheutmostdifficultytorestrainmytears:butIhaverestrainedthem，tillmylittletormentorsweregonetodessert，orclearedofftobed(myonlyprospectsofdeliverance)，andthen，inalltheblissofsolitude，Ihavegivenmyselfuptotheluxuryofanunrestrictedburstofweeping。ButthiswasaweaknessIdidnotoftenindulge:

myemploymentsweretoonumerous，myleisuremomentstooprecious，toadmitofmuchtimebeinggiventofruitlesslamentations。

Iparticularlyrememberonewild，snowyafternoon，soonaftermyreturninJanuary:thechildrenhadallcomeupfromdinner，loudlydeclaringthattheymeant\'tobenaughty；\'andtheyhadwellkepttheirresolution，thoughIhadtalkedmyselfhoarse，andweariedeverymuscleinmythroat，inthevainattempttoreasonthemoutofit。IhadgotTompinnedupinacorner，whence，I

toldhim，heshouldnotescapetillhehaddonehisappointedtask。

Meantime，Fannyhadpossessedherselfofmywork-bag，andwasriflingitscontents-andspittingintoitbesides。Itoldhertoletitalone，buttonopurpose，ofcourse。\'Burnit，Fanny!\'

criedTom:andTHIScommandshehastenedtoobey。Isprangtosnatchitfromthefire，andTomdartedtothedoor。\'MaryAnn，throwherdeskoutofthewindow!\'criedhe:andmypreciousdesk，containingmylettersandpapers，mysmallamountofcash，andallmyvaluables，wasabouttobeprecipitatedfromthethree-storeywindow。Iflewtorescueit。MeanwhileTomhadlefttheroom，andwasrushingdownthestairs，followedbyFanny。Havingsecuredmydesk，Irantocatchthem，andMaryAnncamescamperingafter。

Allthreeescapedme，andranoutofthehouseintothegarden，wheretheyplungedaboutinthesnow，shoutingandscreaminginexultantglee。

WhatmustIdo？IfIfollowedthem，Ishouldprobablybeunabletocaptureone，andonlydrivethemfartheraway；ifIdidnot，howwasItogetthemin？Andwhatwouldtheirparentsthinkofme，iftheysaworheardthechildrenrioting，hatless，bonnetless，gloveless，andbootless，inthedeepsoftsnow？WhileIstoodinthisperplexity，justwithoutthedoor，trying，bygrimlooksandangrywords，toawethemintosubjection，Iheardavoicebehindme，inharshlypiercingtones，exclaiming，-

\'MissGrey!Isitpossible？What，inthedevil\'sname，canyoubethinkingabout？\'

\'Ican\'tgetthemin，sir，\'saidI，turninground，andbeholdingMr。Bloomfield，withhishaironend，andhispaleblueeyesboltingfromtheirsockets。

\'ButIINSISTupontheirbeinggotin!\'criedhe，approachingnearer，andlookingperfectlyferocious。

\'Then，sir，youmustcallthemyourself，ifyouplease，fortheywon\'tlistentome，\'Ireplied，steppingback。

\'Comeinwithyou，youfilthybrats；orI\'llhorsewhipyoueveryone!\'roaredhe；andthechildreninstantlyobeyed。\'There，yousee!-theycomeatthefirstword!\'

\'Yes，whenYOUspeak。\'

\'Andit\'sverystrange，thatwhenyou\'vethecareof\'emyou\'venobettercontrolover\'emthanthat!-Now，theretheyare-goneup-

stairswiththeirnastysnowyfeet!Dogoafter\'emandseethemmadedecent，forheaven\'ssake!\'

Thatgentleman\'smotherwasthenstayinginthehouse；and，asI

ascendedthestairsandpassedthedrawing-roomdoor，Ihadthesatisfactionofhearingtheoldladydeclaimingaloudtoherdaughter-in-lawtothiseffect(forIcouldonlydistinguishthemostemphaticwords)-

\'Graciousheavens!-neverinallmylife-!-gettheirdeathassureas-!Doyouthink，mydear，she\'saPROPERPERSON？

Takemywordforit-\'

Iheardnomore；butthatsufficed。

TheseniorMrs。Bloomfieldhadbeenveryattentiveandciviltome；

andtillnowIhadthoughtheranice，kind-hearted，chattyoldbody。Shewouldoftencometomeandtalkinaconfidentialstrain；noddingandshakingherhead，andgesticulatingwithhandsandeyes，asacertainclassofoldladiesarewon\'ttodo；thoughIneverknewonethatcarriedthepeculiaritytosogreatanextent。ShewouldevensympathisewithmeforthetroubleIhadwiththechildren，andexpressattimes，byhalfsentences，interspersedwithnodsandknowingwinks，hersenseoftheinjudiciousconductoftheirmammainsorestrictingmypower，andneglectingtosupportmewithherauthority。Suchamodeoftestifyingdisapprobationwasnotmuchtomytaste；andIgenerallyrefusedtotakeitin，orunderstandanythingmorethanwasopenlyspoken；atleast，Ineverwentfartherthananimpliedacknowledgmentthat，ifmatterswereotherwiseorderedmytaskwouldbealessdifficultone，andIshouldbebetterabletoguideandinstructmycharge；butnowImustbedoublycautious。

Hitherto，thoughIsawtheoldladyhadherdefects(ofwhichonewasapronenesstoproclaimherperfections)，Ihadalwaysbeenwishfultoexcusethem，andtogivehercreditforallthevirtuessheprofessed，andevenimagineothersyetuntold。Kindness，whichhadbeenthefoodofmylifethroughsomanyyears，hadlatelybeensoentirelydeniedme，thatIwelcomedwithgratefuljoytheslightestsemblanceofit。Nowonder，then，thatmyheartwarmedtotheoldlady，andalwaysgladdenedatherapproachandregrettedherdeparture。

Butnow，thefewwordsluckilyorunluckilyheardinpassinghadwhollyrevolutionizedmyideasrespectingher:nowIlookeduponherashypocriticalandinsincere，aflatterer，andaspyuponmywordsanddeeds。Doubtlessitwouldhavebeenmyintereststilltomeetherwiththesamecheerfulsmileandtoneofrespectfulcordialityasbefore；butIcouldnot，ifIwould:mymanneralteredwithmyfeelings，andbecamesocoldandshythatshecouldnotfailtonoticeit。Shesoondidnoticeit，andHERmanneralteredtoo:thefamiliarnodwaschangedtoastiffbow，thegracioussmilegaveplacetoaglareofGorgonferocity；hervivaciousloquacitywasentirelytransferredfrommeto\'thedarlingboyandgirls，\'whomsheflatteredandindulgedmoreabsurdlythanevertheirmotherhaddone。

IconfessIwassomewhattroubledatthischange:Ifearedtheconsequencesofherdispleasure，andevenmadesomeeffortstorecoverthegroundIhadlost-andwithbetterapparentsuccessthanIcouldhaveanticipated。Atonetime，I，merelyincommoncivility，askedafterhercough；immediatelyherlongvisagerelaxedintoasmile，andshefavouredmewithaparticularhistoryofthatandherotherinfirmities，followedbyanaccountofherpiousresignation，deliveredintheusualemphatic，declamatorystyle，whichnowritingcanportray。

\'Butthere\'soneremedyforall，mydear，andthat\'sresignation\'

(atossofthehead)，\'resignationtothewillofheaven!\'(anupliftingofthehandsandeyes)。\'Ithasalwayssupportedmethroughallmytrials，andalwayswilldo\'(asuccessionofnods)。

\'Butthen，itisn\'teverybodythatcansaythat\'(ashakeofthehead)；\'butI\'moneofthepiousones，MissGrey!\'(averysignificantnodandtoss)。\'And，thankheaven，Ialwayswas\'

(anothernod)，\'andIgloryinit!\'(anemphaticclaspingofthehandsandshakingofthehead)。AndwithseveraltextsofScripture，misquotedormisapplied，andreligiousexclamationssoredolentoftheludicrousinthestyleofdeliveryandmannerofbringingin，ifnotintheexpressionsthemselves，thatIdeclinerepeatingthem，shewithdrew；tossingherlargeheadinhighgood-

humour-withherselfatleast-andleftmehopingthat，afterall，shewasratherweakthanwicked。

AthernextvisittoWellwoodHouse，IwentsofarastosayIwasgladtoseeherlookingsowell。Theeffectofthiswasmagical:

thewords，intendedasamarkofcivility，werereceivedasaflatteringcompliment；hercountenancebrightenedup，andfromthatmomentshebecameasgraciousandbenignasheartcouldwish-inoutwardsemblanceatleast。FromwhatInowsawofher，andwhatI

heardfromthechildren，Iknowthat，inordertogainhercordialfriendship，Ihadbuttoutterawordofflatteryateachconvenientopportunity:butthiswasagainstmyprinciples；andforlackofthis，thecapriciousolddamesoondeprivedmeofherfavouragain，andIbelievedidmemuchsecretinjury。

Shecouldnotgreatlyinfluenceherdaughter-in-lawagainstme，because，betweenthatladyandherselftherewasamutualdislike-

chieflyshownbyherinsecretdetractionsandcalumniations；bytheother，inanexcessoffrigidformalityinherdemeanour；andnofawningflatteryoftheeldercouldthawawaythewalloficewhichtheyoungerinterposedbetweenthem。Butwithherson，theoldladyhadbettersuccess:hewouldlistentoallshehadtosay，providedshecouldsoothehisfretfultemper，andrefrainfromirritatinghimbyherownasperities；andIhavereasontobelievethatsheconsiderablystrengthenedhisprejudiceagainstme。ShewouldtellhimthatIshamefullyneglectedthechildren，andevenhiswifedidnotattendtothemassheought；andthathemustlookafterthemhimself，ortheywouldallgotoruin。

Thusurged，hewouldfrequentlygivehimselfthetroubleofwatchingthemfromthewindowsduringtheirplay；attimes，hewouldfollowthemthroughthegrounds，andtoooftencamesuddenlyuponthemwhiletheyweredabblingintheforbiddenwell，talkingtothecoachmaninthestables，orrevellinginthefilthofthefarm-yard-andI，meanwhile，wearilystanding，by，havingpreviouslyexhaustedmyenergyinvainattemptstogetthemaway。

Often，too，hewouldunexpectedlypophisheadintotheschoolroomwhiletheyoungpeoplewereatmeals，andfindthemspillingtheirmilkoverthetableandthemselves，plungingtheirfingersintotheirownoreachother\'smugs，orquarrellingovertheirvictualslikeasetoftiger\'scubs。IfIwerequietatthemoment，Iwasconnivingattheirdisorderlyconduct；if(aswasfrequentlythecase)Ihappenedtobeexaltingmyvoicetoenforceorder，Iwasusingundueviolence，andsettingthegirlsabadexamplebysuchungentlenessoftoneandlanguage。

Irememberoneafternooninspring，when，owingtotherain，theycouldnotgoout；but，bysomeamazinggoodfortune，theyhadallfinishedtheirlessons，andyetabstainedfromrunningdowntoteasetheirparents-atrickthatannoyedmegreatly，butwhich，onrainydays，Iseldomcouldpreventtheirdoing；because，below，theyfoundnoveltyandamusement-especiallywhenvisitorswereinthehouse；andtheirmother，thoughshebidmekeepthemintheschoolroom，wouldneverchidethemforleavingit，ortroubleherselftosendthemback。Butthisdaytheyappearedsatisfiedwith，theirpresentabode，andwhatismorewonderfulstill，seemeddisposedtoplaytogetherwithoutdependingonmeforamusement，andwithoutquarrellingwitheachother。Theiroccupationwasasomewhatpuzzlingone:theywereallsquattedtogetheronthefloorbythewindow，overaheapofbrokentoysandaquantityofbirds\'eggs-orratheregg-shells，forthecontentshadluckilybeenabstracted。Theseshellstheyhadbrokenupandwerepoundingintosmallfragments，towhatendIcouldnotimagine；butsolongastheywerequietandnotinpositivemischief，Ididnotcare；

and，withafeelingofunusualrepose，Isatbythefire，puttingthefinishingstitchestoafrockforMaryAnn\'sdoll；intending，whenthatwasdone，tobeginalettertomymother。Suddenlythedooropened，andthedingyheadofMr。Bloomfieldlookedin。

\'Allveryquiethere!Whatareyoudoing？\'saidhe。\'NoharmTO-

DAY，atleast，\'thoughtI。Buthewasofadifferentopinion。

Advancingtothewindow，andseeingthechildren\'soccupations，hetestilyexclaimed-\'Whatintheworldareyouabout？\'

\'We\'regrindingegg-shells，papa!\'criedTom。

\'HowDAREyoumakesuchamess，youlittledevils？Don\'tyouseewhatconfoundedworkyou\'remakingofthecarpet？\'(thecarpetwasaplainbrowndrugget)。\'MissGrey，didyouknowwhattheyweredoing？\'