"I won't learn to read and write."

Whack came the cane on Johnny's shoulders, who burst out into a roar
as he writhed with pain.

Mr Bonnycastle waited a few seconds. "That's the letter B. Now tell
me, sir, directly, what that letter is?"

"I'll tell my mar." Whack! "O law! O law!"

"What letter is that?"

Johnny, with his mouth open, panting, and the tears on his cheeks,
answered, indignantly, "Stop till I tell Sarah."

Whack came the cane again, and a fresh burst from Johnny.

"What letter's that?"

"I won't tell," roared Johnny; "I won't tell--that I won't."

Whack, whack, whack, and a pause. "I told you before, that's the
letter B. What letter is that? Tell me directly."

Johnny, by way of reply, made a snatch at the cane. Whack, he caught
it, certainly, but not exactly as he would have wished. Johnny then
snatched up the book, and dashed it to the corner of the room. Whack,
whack. Johnny attempted to seize Mr Bonnycastle with his teeth.
Whack, whack, whack, whack; and Johnny fell on the carpet, and roared