Of the “knocking about” that Bettesworth endured as a boy I should probably have heard nothing—for he would not think it worth mentioning—were it not that he detests the insubordination of modern boys. They are “mouthy,” he thinks; that is, they enjoy too great a liberty of speech; and they are punished too seldom. In fact, the presence of the policeman shields them, to their own detriment and to the annoyance of sedate villagers, from the chastisement they frequently deserve. Bettesworth's hands tingle to be at them; and meanwhile, “Smart difference,” he complains, “when I was a boy. Law! I've been cut over with girt clods throwed at me as I bin walkin' across the fields, and laid there afraid to git up, let alone speakin’.

“I did git some knockin' about. I payed one man for 't though, when I was big enough. I always swore I'd let Thomas have it, and so I did. He laid on the ground hollerin' to me to forgive 'n. ‘No,’ I says, ‘if you don't git up to have it, you'll have it where you lays.’ But there—a cruel, spiteful feller he was, everybody said so. My master at last said to 'n, ‘Look here! I keeps gettin’ fresh under-carters and none of ‘em won't work with ye, and now you'll ha’ to change or else I shall.' I swore I'd pay 'n, and the time come at last.