that my father flew upon me with both his fists, and not thinking
that sufficient, stepped hastily to the place where his cane stood,
and catching that up, laid on me, I thought, with all his strength.
And I, being bareheaded, thought his blows must needs have broken my
skull had I not laid mine arm over my head to defend it.

His man seeing this, and not able to contain himself, stepped in
between us, and laying hold on the cane, by strength of hand held it
so fast, that though he attempted not to take it away, yet he
withheld my father from striking with it, which did but enrage him
the more. I disliked this in the man, and bade him let go the cane
and begone, which he immediately did, and turning to be gone, had a
blow on his shoulders for his pains, which did not much hurt him.

But now my sister, fearing lest my father should fall upon me again,
besought him to forbear, adding: "Indeed, sir, if you strike him
any more, I will throw open the casement and cry out murder, for I
am afraid you will kill my brother." This stopped his hand, and
after some threatening speeches he commanded me to get to my chamber
which I did, as I always did whenever he bade me.

Thither, soon after, my sister followed me, to see my arm and dress
it, for it was indeed very much bruised and swelled between the
wrist and the elbow, and in some places the skin was broken and
beaten off. But though it was very sore, and I felt for some time
much pain in it, yet I had peace and quietness in my mind, being
more grieved for my father than for myself, who I knew had hurt
himself more than me.

This was, so far as I remember, the last time that ever my father