hat now to offend him, yet my language did as much; for I durst not
say "you" to him, but "thou" or "thee," as the occasion required,
and then would he be sure to fall on me with his fists.

At one of these times, I remember, when he had beaten me in that
manner, he commanded me, as he commonly did at such times, to go to
my chamber, which I did, and he followed me to the bottom of the
stairs. Being come thither, he gave me a parting blow, and in a
very angry tone said: "Sirrah, if ever I hear you say 'thou' or
'thee' to me again, I'll strike your teeth down your throat." I was
greatly grieved to hear him say so. And feeling a word rise in my
heart unto him, I turned again, and calmly said unto him: "Would it
not be just if God should serve thee so, when thou sayest Thou or
Thee to Him?" Though his hand was up, I saw it sink and his
countenance fall, and he turned away and left me standing there.
But I, notwithstanding, went up into my chamber, and cried unto the
Lord, earnestly beseeching Him that He would be pleased to open my
father's eyes, that he might see whom he fought against, and for
what; and that He would turn his heart.

After this I had a pretty time of rest and quiet from these
disturbances, my father not saying anything to me, nor giving me
occasion to say anything to him. But I was still under a kind of
confinement, unless I would have run about the country bareheaded
like a madman, which I did not see it was my place to do. For I
found that, although to be abroad and at liberty among my friends
would have been more pleasant to me, yet home was at present my
proper place, a school in which I was to learn with patience to bear
the cross; and I willingly submitted to it. But after some time a
fresh storm, more fierce and sharp than any before, arose and fell