out of his hands, when he mercifully allowed him to roll away, as
he best could.

'There,' said Squeers. 'Now if any other boy thinks Smike has run away,
I shall be glad to have a talk with him.'

There was, of course, a profound silence, during which Nicholas showed
his disgust as plainly as looks could show it.

'Well, Nickleby,' said Squeers, eyeing him maliciously. 'YOU think he
has run away, I suppose?'

'I think it extremely likely,' replied Nicholas, in a quiet manner.

'Oh, you do, do you?' sneered Squeers. 'Maybe you know he has?'

'I know nothing of the kind.'

'He didn't tell you he was going, I suppose, did he?' sneered Squeers.

'He did not,' replied Nicholas; 'I am very glad he did not, for it would
then have been my duty to have warned you in time.'

'Which no doubt you would have been devilish sorry to do,' said Squeers
in a taunting fashion.

'I should indeed,' replied Nicholas. 'You interpret my feelings with
great accuracy.'

Mrs Squeers had listened to this conversation, from the bottom of
the stairs; but, now losing all patience, she hastily assumed her
night-jacket, and made her way to the scene of action.

'What's all this here to-do?' said the lady, as the boys fell off right
and left, to save her the trouble of clearing a passage with her brawny
arms. 'What on earth are you a talking to him for, Squeery!'

'Why, my dear,' said Squeers, 'the fact is, that Smike is not to be
found.'

'Well, I know that,' said the lady, 'and where's the wonder? If you
get a parcel of proud-stomached teachers that set the young dogs a
rebelling, what else can you look for? Now, young man, you just have the
kindness to take yourself off to the schoolroom, and take the boys off
with you, and don't you stir out of there till you have leave given you,
or you and I may fall out in a way that'll spoil your beauty, handsome
as you think yourself, and so I tell you.'

'Indeed!' said Nicholas.

'Yes; and indeed and indeed again, Mister Jackanapes,' said the excited
lady; 'and I wouldn't keep such as you in the house another hour, if I
had my way.'

'Nor would you if I had mine,' replied Nicholas. 'Now, boys!'

'Ah! Now, boys,' said Mrs Squeers, mimicking, as nearly as she could,
the voice and manner of the usher. 'Follow your leader, boys, and take
pattern by Smike if you dare. See what he'll get for himself, when he
is brought back; and, mind! I tell you that you shall have as bad, and
twice as bad,