I say to myself, "I'll conquer that fellow"; and if it were to cost him all the blood he had, I should do it.

What is that upon your face ?' 'Dirt,' I said.
He knew it was the mark of tears as well as I.But if he had asked the question twenty times, each time with twenty blows, I believe my baby heart would have burst before I would have told him so.
'You have a good deal of intelligence for a little fellow,' he said, with a grave smile that belonged to him, 'and you understood me very well, I see.

Wash that face, sir, and come down with me.' He pointed to the washing-stand, which I had made out to be like Mrs.
Gummidge, and motioned me with his head to obey him directly.

I had little doubt then, and I have less doubt now, that he would have knocked me down without the least compunction, if I had hesitated.
'Clara, my dear,' he said, when I had done his bidding, and he walked me into the parlour, with his hand still on my arm; 'you will not be made uncomfortable any more, I hope.

We shall soon improve our youthful humours.' God help me, I might have been improved for my whole life, I might have been made another creature perhaps, for life, by a kind word at that season.