"But I won't read and write," replied Jack, sulkily.

"Yes, you will; and you are going to read your letters now directly."

Jack made no answer. Mr Bonnycastle opened a sort of bookcase, and
displayed to John's astonished view a series of canes, ranged up and
down like billiard cues, and continued, "Do you know what those are
for?"

Jack eyed them wistfully; he had some faint idea that he was sure to
be better acquainted with them, but he made no answer.

"They are to teach little boys to read and write, and now I am going
to teach you. You'll soon learn. Look now here," continued Mr
Bonnycastle, opening a book with large type, and taking a capital at
the head of a chapter, about half an inch long. "Do you see that
letter?"

"Yes," replied Johnny, turning his eyes away, and picking his fingers.

"Well, that is the letter B. Do you see it? look at it, so that you
may know it again. That's the letter B. Now tell me what letter that
is?"

Jack now determined to resist, so he made no answer.

"So you cannot tell; well, then, we will try what one of these little
fellows will do," said Mr Bonnycastle, taking down a cane. "Observe,
Johnny, that's the letter B. Now, what letter is that? Answer me
directly."