ycastle at once perceived that it was no use coaxing our hero,
and that fear was the only attribute by which he could be controlled.
So, as soon as Dr Middleton had quitted the room, he addressed him in a
commanding tone, "Now, boy, what is your name?"

Jack started; he looked up at his master, perceived his eye fixed upon
him, and a countenance not to be played with. Jack was no fool, and
somehow or another, the discipline he had received from his father had
given him some intimation of what was to come. All this put together
induced Jack to condescend to answer, with his forefinger between his
teeth, "Johnny."

"And what is your other name, sir?"

Jack, who appeared to repent his condescension, did not at first answer,
but he looked again in Mr Bonnycastle's face, and then round the room:
there was no one to help him, and he could not help himself, so he
replied "Easy."

"Do you know why you are sent to school?"

"Scalding father."

"No; you are sent to learn to read and write."

"But I won't read and write," replied Jack sulkily.

"Yes, you will and you are going to read your letters now directly."

Jack made no answer. Mr Bonnycastle opened a sort of book-case, and
displayed to John's astonished view a series of canes, ranged up and
down like billiard cues, and continued, "Do you know what those are
for?"

Jack eyed them wistfully; he had some faint idea that he was sure to be
better acquainted with them but he made no answer.

"They are to teach little boys to read and write, and now I am going to
teach you. You'll soon learn. Look now here," continued Mr
Bonnycastle, opening a book with large type, and taking a capital at the
head of a chapter, about half an inch long. "Do you see that letter?"

"Yes," replied Johnny, turning his eyes away, and picking his fingers.

"Well, that is the letter B. Do you see it? Look at it, so that you
may know it again. That's the letter B. Now tell me what that letter
is."

Jack now determined to resist, so he made no answer.

"So you cannot tell; well, then, we will try what one of these little
fellows will do," said Mr Bonnycastle, taking down a cane. "Observe,
Johnny, that's the letter B. Now, what letter is that? Answer me
directly."

"I won't learn to read and write."

Whack came the cane on Johnny's shoulders, who burst out into a roar as
he writhed with pain.

Mr Bonnycastle waited a few seconds. "That's the letter B. Now tell
me, sir,