d because he did not
want to make his mother and Kate unhappy, he wrote them as cheerfully as
he could. The letter Noggs had given him he remembered at last to read.
It told him the writer feared his uncle had deceived him in regard to
the school, and said if Nicholas needed a friend at any time, he would
find one in him, Noggs. These kind words from the old clerk brought
tears to Nicholas's eyes.

Of all the wretched boys there Nicholas pitied most a poor fellow named
Smike, whom Squeers had made a drudge. He was tall and lanky and wore a
little boy's suit, too short in the arms and legs. He had been placed
there when a child, and the man who had brought him had disappeared and
left no money to pay for his keep. Squeers's cruelties had made the
unfortunate lad simple-minded. Besides this he was lame. Nicholas helped
Smike all he could, and the poor fellow was so grateful that he followed
the other about like a slave.

Squeers's daughter was named Fanny. She had red hair, which she wore in
five exact rows on the top of her head. She thought herself very
beautiful and at once fell in love with Nicholas. As he could not help
showing that he did not like her, Miss Fanny grew spiteful and in
revenge began to persecute Smike, knowing Nicholas liked him.

Smike stood this as long as he could, but at last one day he ran away.
Squeers was furious. He took one chaise and Mrs. Squeers another, and
off they went in different directions to find him. Nicholas was
miserable, for he knew Smike would be caught. Sure enough, on the second
day Mrs. Squeers returned, dragging her victim. When Squeers arrived
Smike was taken from the cellar, where he had been locked up, and
brought before the assembled boys for a public thrashing.

At the rain of brutal blows which began Nicholas's blood boiled. He
stepped forward, crying "Stop!"

For answer Squeers struck him savagely in the face with his heavy ruler.
Then Nicholas threw away his self-control, and leaping on the bully, to
the unmeasured delight of the boys, took the ruler from him and thrashed
him until he cried for mercy. All the while Mrs. Squeers was trying to
drag the victor away by his coat tails, while the spiteful Miss Fanny
threw inkstands at his head.

When his arm was tired Nicholas gave Squeers a final blow, which knocked
him senseless into a corner, coolly went to his room, packed his few
belongings in a bundle and left Dotheboys Hall for ever.

He was two hundred and