arcely a fair match; but my
spirit was aroused, and instead of feeling afraid, I rejoiced at the
encounter which was imminent, and had difficulty to refrain from shouting
"Come on! I'm ready, physically and mentally, for you and a dozen others
such."

My curious ideas regarding human equality gave me confidence. My theory
is that the cripple is equal to the giant, and the idiot to the genius.
As, if on account of his want of strength the cripple is subservient to
the giant, the latter, on account of that strength, is compelled to give
in to the cripple. So with the dolt and the man of brain, so with Mrs
M'Swat and me.

The fact of not only my own but my family's dependence on M'Swat--sank
into oblivion. I merely recognized that she was one human being and I
another. Should I have been deferential to her by reason of her age and
maternity, then from the vantage which this gave her, she should have
been lenient to me on account of my chit-ship and inexperience. Thus we
were equal.

Jimmy hollered with renewed energy to attract his mother, and I continued
to rain blows across his shoulders. Mrs M'Swat approached to within a
foot of the door, and then, as though changing her mind, retraced her
steps and entered the hot low-roofed kitchen. I knew I had won, and felt
disappointed that the conquest had been so easy. Jimmy, seeing he was
worsted, ceased his uproar, cleaned his copy-book on his sleeve, and
sheepishly went on with his writing.

Whether Mrs M'Swat saw she had been in fault the day before I know not;
certain it is that the children ever after that obeyed me, and I heard no
more of the matter; neither, as far as I could ascertain, did the
"ruction" reach the ears of M'Swat.

"How long, how long!" was my cry, as I walked out ankle-deep in the dust
to see the sun, like a ball of blood, sink behind the hills on that
February evening.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Where Ignorance is Bliss, 'Tis Folly to be Wise

When by myself, I fretted so constantly that the traces it left upon me
became evident even to the dull comprehension of Mrs M'Swat.

"I don't hold with too much pleasure and disherpation, but you ain't had
overmuch of it lately. You've stuck at home pretty constant, and ye and
Lizer can have a little fly round. It'll do yous good," she said.

The dissipation, pleasure, and flying round allotted to "Lizer" and me
were to visit some of the neighbours. Those, like the M'Swats, were
sheep-farming select