"Boy! what are you about? What have you
done? What do you mean by such carelessness? Will you break everything
in the house, you heedless fellow? I'd rather you had broken all on the
table than that pitcher, you young scapegrace. Take that, and learn to
mind what you are about, or I'll take measures to make you." And with a
thorough shaking, and a sound box on the ear, the father quitted the
room, took his hat, and marched to his office, there to explain the law,
and obtain _justice_ for all offenders. But alas for Charley! How great
was the change of feeling in his boyish heart. His mother looked for a
moment with an expression of fear and sorrow upon her countenance, and
telling a servant to wipe up the water he had spilled--she took his hand
gently to lead him away. For a moment he repulsed her, and stood as if
transfixed with astonishment and rage. But he could not withstand her
pleading look, and she led him to her own room. As soon as the door
closed upon them, his passion burst forth in words. "Father treats me
like a dog. I never will bear it--never, never, another day. Mother, you
know I did not not mean to do a wrong thing, and what right has my
father to shake and cuff me as if I were a vile slave? Mother, I'll
break the house down itself if he treats me so--to box my ears right
before all the family! And last night he sent me out of the room, so
stern, just because I slammed the door a little.
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