ly,however,behindherback.

    HabituallyobedienttoJohn,Icameuptohischair:hespentsomethreemihrustingouthistomeasfarashecouldwithoutdamagis:Iknewhewouldsoonstrike,andwhiledreadingtheblow,Imusedonthedisgustinganduglyappearanwhowouldpresentlydealit.Iwonderifhereadthatnotioninmyface;for,allatohoutspeakirucksuddenlyandstrongly.Itottered,andainingmyequilibriumretiredbackasteportwofromhischair.

    “Thatisforyourimpudenansweringmamaawhilesince,”saidhe,“andforyoursneakingwayofgettingbehindcurtains,andforthelookyouhadinyoureyestwominutessince,yourat!”

    AcedtoJohnReed’sabuse,Ineverhadanideaofreplyingtoit;mycarewashowtoeheblowwhichwouldcertainlyfollowtheinsult.

    “Whatwereyoudoingbehiain?”heasked.

    “Iwasreading.”

    “Showthebook.”

    Ireturhewindowacheditthence.

    “Youhavenobusiotakeourbooks;youareadepe,mamasays;youhavenomoney;yourfatherleftyounone;yououghttobeg,andnottoliveherewithgentlemen’schildrenlikeus,ahesamemealswedo,andwearclothesatourmama’sexpense.Now,I’llteachyoutorummagemybookshelves:fortheyaremine;allthehousebelongstome,orwilldoinafewyears.Goandstandbythedoor,outofthewayofthemirrorandthewindows.”

    Ididso,notatfirstaashisiion;butwhenIsawhimliftandpoisethebookandstandinacttohurlit,Iinstinctivelystartedasidewithacryofalarm:notsoonenough,however;thevolumewasflung,ithitme,andIfell,strikingmyheadagainstthedoorandcuttingit.Thecutbled,thepainwassharp:myterrorhadpasseditsclimax;otherfeelingssucceeded.

    “Wickedandcruelboy!”Isaid.“Youareli