the tyrant, and spoke in a voice between the bark of a dog and the growl of a brown bear. But the roughness had in it nothing cruel, coming in part of his having had to teach other boys than his own, whom he found this mode of utterance assist him in compelling to give heed to his commands; in part from his idea of the natural embodiment of authority. He ordered his boys about with sternness, sometimes even fiercely, swore at them indeed occasionally, and made Hester feel very uncomfortable. "Come, come, Franks!" said Mr. Christopher, on one of these outbreaks. The man stood silent for a moment "like one forbid," then turning to Miss Raymount first, and next to his wife, said, taking of his cap, "I humbly beg your pardon, ladies. I forgot what company I was in. But bless you, I mean nothing by it! It's only my way. Ain't it now, mates--you as knows the old man?" "Yes, father; 'tain't nothin' more'n a way you've got," responded the boys all, the little one loudest. "You don't mind it, do you--knowin' as it's only to make you mind what you're about?" "No, father, _we_ don't mind it. Go ahead, father," said the eldest. "But," said Franks, and here interjected an imprecation, vulgarly called an oath, "if ever I hear one o' you a usin' of sich improper words, I'll break every bone in his carcase." "Yes, father," answered the boys with one accord, "It's all very well for fathers," he went on; "an' when you're fathers yourselves, an' able to thrash me--not as I think you'd want to, kids--I sha'nt ha' no call to meddle with you. So here goes!" Casting a timid glance at Hester, in the assurance that he had set himself thoroughly right with her, showing himself as regardful of his boys' manners as could justly be expected of any parent, he proceeded with his lesson from the point where he had left off.