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？"