I arrived in good time, and took my seat near my master. I preferred doing this, as I had had a long conversation with Captain Bridgeman who told me that although Mr OGallagher had put the ruler down as punishment Number 1, the ferrule Number 2, and the birch as Number 3, and of course they were considered to be worse as the number rose, that he considered it to be the very contrary, as he had had them all well applied when he was at school; he ordered me, therefore, never to hold out my hand to the ferrule, by which refusal I should, of course, be flogged; but he assured me that the birch, especially when it is given often, was a mere nothing. Now I considered that the surest way to avoid the ruler was to sit close to my master, who could then have no pretence for sending it at my head; the fact was I had determined to save the more noble portions of my body, and leave Mr OGallagher to do what he pleased with the other: to do him justice, he lost no time.
Come here, Mr Keene, said he, wheres your manners? why dont you say good morning to your preceptor? Can you read at all?
No, sir.
Dye know your letters?
Some of themI think I do, sir.
Some of themI suppose about two out of six-and-twenty. Its particular attention thats been paid to your education, I perceive; youve nothing to unlearn anyhow, thats something. Now, sir, do you think that a classical scholar and a gentleman born, like me, is to demane myself by hearing you puzzle at the alphabet? Youre quite mistaken, Mr Keene, you must gain your first elements second-hand; so wheres Thimothy Ruddel? You, Timothy Ruddel, youll just teach this young Master Keene his whole alphabet, and take care, at the same time, that you know your own lessons, or it will end in a blow-up; and you, Master Keene, if you have not larnt your whole alphabet perfect by dinner time, why youll have a small taste of Number 2, just as a hint to whats coming next. Go along, you little ignorant blackguard; and you, Timothy Ruddel, look out for a taste of Number 3, if you dont larn him and yourself all at once, and at the same time.
I was very well pleased with this arrangement; I had resolved to learn, and I was doubly stimulated to learn now, to save poor Timothy Ruddel from an unjust punishment.
In the three hours I was quite perfect, and Timothy Ruddel, who was called up before me, was also able to say his lesson without a blunder very much to the disappointment of Mr OGallagher, who observed, So youve slipped through my fingers, have you, this time, Master Timothy? Never mind, Ill have you yet; and, moreover, theres Master Keene to go through the fiery furnace. Just before dinner time I was called up; with my memory of many of the letters, and the assistance I had received from Timothy Ruddel, I felt very confident.
What letters that, sir? said Mr OGallagher.
A B C D E.
You little blackguard, Ill dodge you; you think to escape, you?
V, X, P, O.
Much to Mr OGallaghers surprise I said them all without one mistake. Instead of commendation I received abuse. By all the powers, exclaimed my pedagogue, but everything seems to go wrong to-day; my hand has been completely idle; this will never do; didnt you tell me, Mr Keene, that you didnt know your letters?
I said I knew some of them, sir.
If my memory is correct, Mr Keene, you told me that you knew two out of twenty-six.
No, sir, you said that.
Thats just as much as to tell me, your preceptor, a classical scholar, and a Milesian gentleman to boot, that I lie, for which I intend to have satisfaction, Mr Keene, I assure you. Youre guilty in two counts, as they say at the Old Bailey, where youll be called up to some of these days, as sure as you stand there; one count is in telling me a lie, in saying you did not know your alphabet, when its quite clear that you did; and, secondly, in giving me the lie, by stating that I said what you said. You thought to escape me, but youre mistaken, Mr Keene; so now, if you please, we will just have a taste of Number 2. Hould out your hand, Mr Keene: dye hear me sir? hould out your hand.
But this I positively refused to do. You wont, wont you? Well, then, we must increase the punishment for our contempt of court, and at once commence with Number 3, which we intended to reserve till to-morrow. Come along, Phil Mooney, theres fresh mate for you to carry, and come out Number 3, heres fresh ground for you to travel over.
Phil Mooney and the birch soon made their appearance: I was hoisted by the one and scourged by the other.
The first taste of the birch is anything but agreeable; I could only compare it to the dropping of molten lead. I tried all I could to prevent crying out, but it was impossible, and at last I roared like a mad bull; and I was as mad as a bull, and as dangerous. Could I have picked up any weapon at the moment that I was dropped from the shoulders of Phil Mooney, it would have gone hard with Mr OGallagher. My rage was greater than my agony. I stood when I had been landed, my chest heaving, my teeth set fast, and my apparel still in disorder. The school was dismissed, and I was left alone with the savage pedagogue, who immediately took up my basket, and began to rummage the contents.
Make yourself decent, Mr Keene, and dont be shocking my modesty, and taking away my appetite. Did you mention the mustard, as I desired you? Upon my faith, but youre a nice boy and do justice to the representations of your grandmother, and when you see her you may tell her that I did not forget the promise she exacted from me. You forgot all about the mustard, you little blackguard. If Phil Mooney was here I would give you another taste to freshen your memory for to-morrow; however, to-morrow will do as well, if the mistakes not corrected. Here, take your victuals, and good appetite to you, you little monster of iniquity.
Mr OGallagher tossed me some bread but this time reserved the cheese for his own eating. I had adjusted my dress, and I therefore left the school-room. I could not sit down without pain, so I leant against a post: the bread remained in my hand untouched; had it been the greatest delicacy in the world I could not have tasted a morsel; I was giddy from excess of feeling, my thoughts were rapidly chasing each other when I heard a voice close to me; I looked round, it was Walter Puddock, who had been flogged the day before.
Never mind, Keene, said he, kindly; it hurts at first, but the more you get it the less you care for it; I dont mind it a bit now; I cries, because he goes on flogging till you do, and its no use having more than you can help.
I didnt deserve it, replied I.
Thats not necessary; youll get it, as we all do, whether you deserve it or not.
Well, Ill try to deserve it in future, replied I, clenching my fist; Ill be even with him.
Why, what can you do?
Wait a little, and youll see, said I, walking away, for an idea had come into my head which I wished to follow up.
Soon afterwards the bell rang, and we returned to the schoolroom. I was put under the tuition of another boy, and took care to learn my lesson. Whether it was that he was tired with the exercise, for he flogged and ferruled a dozen during that afternoon, or that he thought that my morning dose had been sufficient, I received no more punishment on that day.
Chapter Seven
As soon as school was dismissed, I went straight to the rooms of Captain Bridgeman, and told him how I had been treated. As soon as he heard it, he exclaimed, This is really too bad; I will go with you, and I will consult with your aunt Amelia.