arms consequentially and determinedly.

"I do not doubt your capability, Mr Easy; but unfortunately you will
always have a difficulty which you never can get over. Excuse me, I
know what you are capable of, and the boy would indeed be happy with
such a preceptor, but--if I must speak plain--you must be aware as
well as I am, that the maternal fondness of Mrs Easy will always be a
bar to your intention. He is already so spoiled by her, that he will
not obey; and without obedience you cannot inculcate."

"I grant, my dear sir, that there is a difficulty on that point; but
maternal weakness must then be overcome by paternal severity."

"May I ask how, Mr Easy? for it appears to me impossible."

"Impossible! By heavens, I'll make him obey, or I'll--"--Here Mr Easy
stopped before the word flog was fairly out of his mouth,--"I'll know
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 overindulgence, in a short time he will be