ow
the reason why, Dr Middleton."

Dr Middleton checked his inclination to laugh, and replied, "That you
would hit upon some scheme, by which you would obtain the necessary
power over him, I have no doubt; but what will be the consequence? The
boy will consider his mother as a protector, and you as a tyrant. He
will have an aversion to you, and with that aversion he will never pay
respect and attention to your valuable precepts when he arrives at an
age to understand them. 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 over-indulgence, 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 learned 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