He turned with me to go back, and, after the first salutations, I said,-- "Well, Jim, my boy, I hope you've been good since I saw you last ?" "Oh dear, no," was the answer, with a shake of the head that meant volumes.
"I'm sorry to hear that; what is the matter ?" "I've been CATCHING it," said Jim, in a whisper, coming close alongside of me.

"A tea-stick as thick as my forefinger all over."-- Here he entered into particulars, which, however harmless in themselves, were not of a sort usually written in books.
"That's a bad job," I said; "what was it for ?" "Why, I slipped off with Jerry to look after some colts on the black swamp, and was gone all the afternoon; and so Dad missed me; and when I got home didn't I CATCH IT! Oh lord, I'm all over blue wales; but that ain't the worst." "What's the next misfortune ?" I inquired.
"Why, when he got hold of me he said, 'Is this the first time you have been away with Jerry, sir ?' and I said, 'Yes' (which was the awfullest lie ever you heard, for I went over to Barker's with him two days before); then he said, 'Well, I must believe you if you say so.

I shall not disgrace you by making inquiries among the men;' and then he gave it to me for going that time, and since then I've felt like Cain and Abel for telling him such a lie.

What would you do,--eh ?" "I should tell him all about it," I said.
"Ah, but then I shall catch it again, don't you see! Hadn't I better wait till these wales are gone down ?" "I wouldn't, if I were you," I answered; "I'd tell him at once." "I wonder why he is so particular," said Jim; "the Delisles and the Donovans spend as much of their time in the huts as they do in the house." "And fine young blackguards they'll turn out," I said; in which I was right in those two instances.

And although I have seen young fellows brought up among convicts who have turned out respectable in the end, yet it is not a promising school for good citizens.
But at Toonarbin no such precautions as these were taken with regard to Charles.