im with coldness or neglect.

At this moment, a female servant burst into the room, with all the
wildness of affright, and cried out with a voice that was scarcely
articulate, "Oh, madam, madam; such an accident! poor dear Master
Tommy."

"What of him, for pity's sake?" cried out Mrs Merton, with an impatience
and concern that sufficiently marked her feelings. "Nay, madam,"
answered the servant, "he is not much hurt, they say; but little
Sandford has taken him to a bull-baiting, and the bull has gored him,
and William and John are bringing him home in their arms."

These words were scarcely delivered when Mrs Merton uttered a violent
shriek, and was instantly seized with an hysteric fit; and while the
ladies were all employed in assisting her, and restoring her senses, Mr
Merton, who, though much alarmed, was more composed, walked
precipitately out to learn the truth of this imperfect narration.

He had not proceeded far before he met the crowd of children and
servants, one of whom carried Tommy Merton in his arms. As soon as he
was convinced that his son had received no other damage than a violent
fright, he began to inquire into the circumstances of the affair; but
before he had time to receive any information, Mrs Merton, who had
recovered from her fainting, came running wildly from the house. When
she saw that her son was safe, she caught him in her arms, and began to
utter all the incoherent expressions of a mother's fondness. It was with
difficulty that her husband could prevail upon her to moderate her
transports till they were within. Then she gave a loose to her feelings
in all their violence, and for a considerable time was incapable of
attending to anything but the joy of his miraculous preservation.

At length, however, she became more composed, and observing that all the
company were present, except Harry Sandford, she exclaimed, with sudden
indignation, "So I see that little abominable wretch has not had the
impudence to follow you in; and I almost wish that the bull had gored
him, as he deserved." "What little wretch do you mean, mamma?" said
Tommy. "Whom can I mean," cried Mrs Merton, "but that vile Harry
Sandford, whom your father is so fond of, and who had nearly cost you
your life, by leading you into danger?" "He! mamma," said Tommy; "he
lead me into danger! He did all he could to persuade me not to go, and I
was a very naughty boy, indeed, not to take his advice."

Mrs Merton stood amazed at t