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？'