Frado obeyed, bringing the smallest she could find.
Mrs.Bellmont approached her, and, giving her a box on her ear, reiterated the command.
The first the child brought was the smallest to be found; of course, the second must be a trifle larger.

She well knew it was, as she threw it into a box on the hearth.

To Mrs.Bellmont it was a greater affront, as well as larger wood, so she "taught her" with the raw-hide, and sent her the third time for "little wood." Nig, weeping, knew not what to do.

She had carried the smallest; none left would suit her mistress; of course further punishment awaited her; so she gathered up whatever came first, and threw it down on the hearth.
As she expected, Mrs.Bellmont, enraged, approached her, and kicked her so forcibly as to throw her upon the floor.

Before she could rise, another foiled the attempt, and then followed kick after kick in quick succession and power, till she reached the door.