"The disobedient boy must pay the penalty of his disobedience.

When I was headstrong, as I sometimes was as a child before my spirit was changed and humbled, my mamma punished me, and I submitted.

So must George.

I desire you will do your duty, Mr.Ward." "Stop, mother!--you don't quite know what you are doing," George said, exceedingly agitated.
"I know that he who spares the rod spoils the child, ungrateful boy!" says Madam Esmond, with more references of the same nature, which George heard, looking very pale and desperate.
Upon the mantelpiece, under the Colonel's portrait, stood a china cup, by which the widow set great store, as her father had always been accustomed to drink from it.

George suddenly took it, and a strange smile passed over his pale face.
"Stay one minute.