Miss Murdstone said, 'Clara! are you a perfect fool ?' and interfered.

I saw my mother stop her ears then, and I heard her crying.
He walked me up to my room slowly and gravely--I am certain he had a delight in that formal parade of executing justice--and when we got there, suddenly twisted my head under his arm.
'Mr.Murdstone! Sir!' I cried to him.

'Don't! Pray don't beat me! I have tried to learn, sir, but I can't learn while you and Miss Murdstone are by.

I can't indeed!' 'Can't you, indeed, David ?' he said.

'We'll try that.' He had my head as in a vice, but I twined round him somehow, and stopped him for a moment, entreating him not to beat me.