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；butIknewatleastIbelievedunremittingpatienceandperseverancecouldovercomethem；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，orclearedofftobedmyonlyprospectsofdeliverance，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-lawtothiseffectforIcouldonlydistinguishthemostemphaticwords-
\'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，thoughIsawtheoldladyhadherdefectsofwhichonewasapronenesstoproclaimherperfections，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；ifaswasfrequentlythecaseIhappenedtobeexaltingmyvoicetoenforceorder，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？\'