er had put me to that school out of feelings of ill-will for
the tricks I had played, and had threatened that if I were removed she
would leave Chatham and take her away with her. My mother required
assistance in the shop, and was afraid to affront my grandmother, who
was a very dictatorial, positive old woman, and would certainly keep her
resolution; but that rather than I should be treated in such a barbarous
manner she would insist upon my mother taking me away, or would herself
leave the place.

"It would never do for you to leave us, Miss Amelia," replied Captain
Bridgeman, "there are but few attractions in this place, and we cannot
spare you; the whole corps would go into deep mourning."

"I don't want to leave the school," interrupted I; "I would not leave it
till I am revenged, for all the world. Now, I'll tell you what I want
to do--and do it I will, if he cuts me to pieces. He eats my
sandwiches, and tells me if there's not more mustard to-morrow, he'll
flog me. He shall have plenty of mustard, but he shall have something
else. What can I put into the sandwiches, so as to half kill him?"

"Not a bad idea, my little Percival," said Captain Bridgeman; "I'll just
ask the doctor how much calomel a man may take without a coroner's
inquest being required."

"Yes, that will do nicely," said my aunt; "I'll take care he shall have
mustard enough not to perceive it."

"Well, I'll go to the barracks and be back directly," said Captain
Bridgeman.

"And I'm ready for the flogging as soon as the sandwiches are down his
throat," replied I, laughing, "I don't care a fig for it."

Captain Bridgeman soon returned with forty grains of calomel, which he
delivered into aunt Milly's hands. "That is as much as we dare give the
strongest man without running great danger; we'll try the effect of that
upon him, and if he don't improve, I think I shall go up to the school
myself and threaten him."

"As for that," replied aunt Milly, "I'm sure that sister, if she hears
what's going on, as she cannot take Percival away, will order her
husband, Ben, to go up and thrash him."

"Not a bad idea, Miss Amelia, we'll try that if we find it necessary; at
all events, we'll see who can persecute most."

"Granny has told him to treat me ill," said I, "that's very clear, from
what he said; never mind, I'll make her sorry for it."

"Oh Percival! you must not do anything to granny," said aunt Milly,
looking very archly; "I must not h