Part 15 (2/2)

'Stupid!' said Mrs Squeers angrily 'He hadn't any money, had he?'

'Never had a penny of his own in his whole life, that I know of,' replied Squeers

'To be sure,' rejoined Mrs Squeers, 'and he didn't take anything to eat with hihed Squeers

'Then, of course,' said Mrs S, 'hehis way, and he could do that, nowhere, but on the public road'

'That's true,' exclai his hands

'True! Yes; but you would never have thought of it, for all that, if I hadn't said so,' replied his wife 'Now, if you take the chaise and go one road, and I borro's chaise, and go the other, ith keeping our eyes open, and asking questions, one or other of us is pretty certain to lay hold of him'

The worthy lady's plan was adopted and put in execution without a moment's delay After a very hasty breakfast, and the prosecution of soe, the result of which seeht track, Squeers started forth in the pony-chaise, intent upon discovery and vengeance Shortly afterwards, Mrs Squeers, arrayed in the white top-coat, and tied up in various shawls and handkerchiefs, issued forth in another chaise and another direction, taking with her a good-sized bludgeon, several odd pieces of strong cord, and a stout labouring man: all provided and carried upon the expedition, with the sole object of assisting in the capture, and (once caught) insuring the safe custody of the unfortunate S, sensible that whateverbut painful and deplorable consequences were likely to ensue from it Death, from want and exposure to the weather, was the best that could be expected fro of so poor and helpless a creature, alone and unfriended, through a country of which he holly ignorant There was little, perhaps, to choose between this fate and a return to the tenderhad established a hold upon his sympathy and compassion, whichhe was destined to undergo He lingered on, in restless anxiety, picturing a thousand possibilities, until the evening of next day, when Squeers returned, alone, and unsuccessful

'No news of the sca his legs, on the old principle, not a few ti the journey 'I'll have consolation for this out of soive you warning'

'It is not intomanner 'We shall see!'

'We shall,' rejoined Nicholas

'Here's the pony run right off his legs, and ed to cos besides other expenses,' said Squeers; 'who's to pay for that, do you hear?'

Nicholas shrugged his shoulders and remained silent

'I'll have it out of somebody, I tell you,' said Squeers, his usual harsh craftyvapourings here, Mr Puppy, but be off to your kennel, for it's past your bedtime! Come! Get out!'

Nicholas bit his lip and knit his hands involuntarily, for his fingerends tingled to avenge the insult; but re that the man was drunk, and that it could come to little but a noisy brawl, he contented hi a contemptuous look at the tyrant, and walked, as majestically as he could, upstairs: not a little nettled, however, to observe that Miss Squeers and Master Squeers, and the servant girl, were enjoying the scene fro remarks about the presuhter, in which even the irls joined: while Nicholas, stung to the quick, drew over his head such bedclothes as he had, and sternly resolved that the outstanding account between himself and Mr Squeers should be settled rather more speedily than the latter anticipated

Another day came, and Nicholas was scarcely ahen he heard the wheels of a chaise approaching the house It stopped The voice of Mrs Squeers was heard, and in exultation, ordering a glass of spirits for so extraordinary had happened Nicholas hardly dared to look out of the ; but he did so, and the very first object that met his eyes was the wretched Sard and worn, and wild, that, but for his garht have been doubtful, even then, of his identity

'Lift him out,' said Squeers, after he had literally feasted his eyes, in silence, upon the culprit 'Bring hi him in!'

'Take care,' cried Mrs Squeers, as her husband proffered his assistance 'We tied his legs under the apron andus the slip again'

With hands treht, Squeers unloosened the cord; and Sht into the house and securely locked up in a cellar, until such time as Mr Squeers should deem it expedient to operate upon him, in presence of the assembled school

Upon a hasty consideration of the circumstances, it may be matter of surprise to some persons, that Mr and Mrs Squeers should have taken so much trouble to repossess themselves of an incumbrance of which it was their wont to complain so loudly; but their surprise will cease when they are infore, if performed by anybody else, would have cost the establishs per week in the shape of wages; and furthermore, that all runaere, as a matter of policy, made severe examples of, at Dotheboys Hall, inasmuch as, in consequence of the limited extent of its attractions, there was but little inducement, beyond the powerful impulse of fear, for any pupil, provided with the usual nu theht and brought back in triury co On tiptoe it was destined to re refreshed hithened himself by an extra libation or so, made his appearance (accompanied by his amiable partner) with a countenance of portentous i, supple, wax-ended, and new,-in short, purchased that , expressly for the occasion

'Is every boy here?' asked Squeers, in a tremendous voice

Every boy was there, but every boy was afraid to speak, so Squeers glared along the lines to assure himself; and every eye drooped, and every head cowered down, as he did so

'Each boy keep his place,' said Squeers, ad with gloomy satisfaction the universal start which it never failed to occasion 'Nickleby! to your desk, sir'

It was remarked by more than one small observer, that there was a very curious and unusual expression in the usher's face; but he took his seat, without opening his lips in reply Squeers, casting a triulance at his assistant and a look of most comprehensive despotism on the boys, left the roo Sment of his jacket which was nearest the place where his collar would have been, had he boasted such a decoration

In any other place, the appearance of the wretched, jaded, spiritless object would have occasioned a murmur of compassion and remonstrance It had some effect, even there; for the lookers-on moved uneasily in their seats; and a few of the boldest ventured to steal looks at each other, expressive of indignation and pity

They were lost on Squeers, however, whose gaze was fastened on the luckless S to custo to say for hi, I suppose?' said Squeers, with a diabolical grin

Slanced round, and his eye rested, for an instant, on Nicholas, as if he had expected him to intercede; but his look was riveted on his desk

'Have you anything to say?' deht arm two or three flourishes to try its power and suppleness 'Stand a little out of the way, Mrs Squeers, h'

'Spare me, sir!' cried Smike

'Oh! that's all, is it?' said Squeers 'Yes, I'll flog you within an inch of your life, and spare you that'

'Ha, ha, ha,' laughed Mrs Squeers, 'that's a good 'un!'

'I was driven to do it,' said S look about him

'Driven to do it, were you?' said Squeers 'Oh! it wasn't your fault; it was -headed, brutish, obstinate, sneaking dog,' exclai S a cuff at every epithet; 'what does he mean by that?'

'Stand aside, my dear,' replied Squeers 'We'll try and find out'

Mrs Squeers, being out of breath with her exertions, corip; one desperate cut had fallen on his body-he incing froain, and again about to fall-when Nicholas Nickleby, suddenly starting up, cried 'Stop!' in a voice that

'Who cried stop?' said Squeers, turning savagely round

'I,' said Nicholas, stepping forward 'This o on!' cried Squeers, alhast and stupefied by the boldness of the interference, Squeers released his hold of Sazed upon Nicholas with looks that were positively frightful

'I saydaunted; 'shall not I will prevent it'

Squeers continued to gaze upon hi out of his head; but astonishment had actually, for the arded all my quiet interference in the miserable lad's behalf,' said Nicholas; 'you have returned no answer to the letter in which I begged forgiveness for him, and offered to be responsible that he would remain quietly here Don't blaht it upon yourself; not I'

'Sit down, beggar!' screa Smike as he spoke

'Wretch,' rejoined Nicholas, fiercely, 'touch him at your peril! I will not stand by, and see it done My blood is up, and I have the strength of ten such men as you Look to yourself, for by Heaven I will not spare you, if you drivehis weapon

'I have a long series of insults to avenge,' said Nicholas, flushed with passion; 'and ravated by the dastardly cruelties practised on helpless infancy in this foul den Have a care; for if you do raise the devil within me, the consequences shall fall heavily upon your own head!'