Now it appears to me that this difficulty which you have raised may be got over.

I know a very worthy clergyman who does not use the birch; but I will write, and put the direct question to him; and then if your boy is removed from the danger arising from Mrs Easy's overindulgence, in a short time he will be ready for your more important tuition." "I think," replied Mr Easy, after a pause, "that what you say merits consideration.

I acknowledge that in consequence of Mrs Easy's nonsensical indulgence, the boy is unruly, and will not obey me at present; and if your friend does not apply the rod, I will think seriously of sending my son John to him to learn the elements." The Doctor had gained his point by flattering the philosopher.

In a day he returned with a letter from the pedagogue in answer to one supposed to be sent to him, in which the use of the birch was indignantly disclaimed, and Mr Easy announced to his wife, when they met that day at tea-time, his intentions with regard to his son John.
"To school, Mr Easy?
what, send Johnny to school! a mere infant to school!" "Surely, my dear, you must be aware that at nine years it is high time that he learnt to read." "Why he almost reads already, Mr Easy; surely I can teach him that.
Does he not, Sarah ?" "Lord bless him, yes, ma'am, he was saying his letters yesterday." "Oh, Mr Easy, what can have put this in your head?
Johnny, dear, come here--tell me now what's the letter A?
You were singing it in the garden this morning." "I want some sugar," replied Johnny, stretching his arm over the table to the sugar-basin, which was out of his reach.
"Well, my love, you shall have a great lump if you will tell me what's the letter A." "A was an archer, and shot at a frog," replied Johnny in a surly tone.
"There now, Mr Easy; and he can go through the whole alphabet--can't he, Sarah ?" "That he can, the dear--can't you, Johnny dear ?" "No," replied Johnny.
"Yes, you can, my love; you know what's the letter B.Now don't you ?" "Yes," replied Johnny.
"There, Mr Easy, you see what the boy knows, and how obedient he is too.

Come, Johnny dear, tell us what was B ?" "No, I won't," replied Johnny, "I want some more sugar"; and Johnny, who had climbed on a chair, spread himself over the table to reach it.
"Mercy! Sarah, pull him off--he'll upset the urn," screamed Mrs Easy.
Sarah caught hold of Johnny by the loins to pull him back, but Johnny, resisting the interference, turned round on his back as he lay on the table, and kicked Sarah in the face, just as she made another desperate grasp at him.