I put a large quantity off snuff on his upper
lip, and then blew it up his nose. But, merciful powers! what a nose it
had become--larger than the largest pear that I ever saw in my life.
The whole weight of old Tom had fallen on it, and instead of being
crushed by the blow, it appeared as if, on the contrary, it had swelled
up, indignant at the injury and affront which it had received. The skin
was as tight as the parchment of a drum, and shining as if it had been
oiled, while the colour was a bright purple. Verily, it was the
Dominie's nose in a rage.

The snuff had the effect of partially awakening him from his lethargy.
"Six o'clock--did you say, Mrs Bately? Are the boys washed--and in the
schoolroom? I will rise speedily--yet I am overcome with much
heaviness. _Delapsus somnus_ ab--" and the Dominie snored again. I
renewed my attempts, and gradually succeeded. The Dominie opened his
eyes, stared at the deck and carlines above him, then at the cupboard by
his side; lastly, he looked at and recognised me.

"_Eheu, Jacobe_!--where am I? And what is that which presses upon my
brain? What is it so loadeth my cerebellum, even as if it were lead?
My memory--where is it? Let me recall my scattered senses." Here the
Dominie was silent for some time. "Ah me! yea, and verily, I do
recollect--with pain of head and more pain of heart--that which I would
fain forget, which is, that I did forget myself; and indeed have
forgotten all that passed the latter portion of the night. Friend Dux
hath proved no friend, but hath led me into the wrong path: and as or
the potation called _Grog--Eheu, Jacobe_! how have I fallen--fallen in
my own opinion--fallen in thine--how can I look thee in the face! O,
Jacob! what must thou think of him who hath hitherto been thy preceptor
and thy guide!" Here the Dominie fell back on the pillow, and turned
away his head.

"It is not your fault, sir," replied I, to comfort him; "you were not
aware of what you were drinking--you did not know that the liquor was so
strong. Old Tom deceived you."

"Nay, Jacob, I cannot lay that flattering unction to my wounded heart.
I ought to have known, nay, now I recall to mind, that thou wouldst have
warned me--even to the pulling off of the tail of my coat--yet I heeded
thee not, and I am humbled--even I, the master over seventy boys!"

"Nay, sir, it was not I who pulled off the tail of your coat; it was the
dog."

"Jacob, I have heard of the won