He was active and intelligent, and until quite recently, extremely tractable and obedient; more than all, he was a very good-looking boy, and when dressed in the Thomas livery, presented a highly-respectable appearance.

She therefore determined to be magnanimous--to look over past events, and to show a Christian and forgiving spirit towards his delinquencies.

She sent for Mrs.Ellis, with the intention of desiring her to use her maternal influence to induce him to apologize to aunt Rachel for his assault upon her corns, which apology Mrs.Thomas was willing to guarantee should be accepted; as for the indignities that had been inflicted on herself, she thought it most politic to regard them in the light of accidents, and to say as little about that part of the affair as possible.
When Mrs.Ellis made her appearance on the day subsequent to the events just narrated, Mrs.Thomas enlarged to her upon the serious damage that aunt Rachel had received, and the urgent necessity that something should be done to mollify that important individual.

When Charlie was brought into the presence of his mother and Mrs.Thomas, the latter informed him, that, wicked as had been his conduct towards herself, she was willing, for his mother's sake, to look over it; but that he must humble himself in dust and ashes before the reigning sovereign of the culinary kingdom, who, making the most of the injury inflicted on her toe, had declared herself unfit for service, and was at that moment ensconced in a large easy-chair, listening to the music of her favourite smoke-jack, whilst a temporary cook was getting up the dinner, under her immediate supervision and direction.
"Charlie, I'm quite ashamed of you," said his mother, after listening to Mrs.Thomas's lengthy statement.

"What has come over you, child ?"--Charlie stood biting his nails, and looking very sullen, but vouchsafed them no answer.--"Mrs.Thomas is so kind as to forgive you, and says she will look over the whole affair, if you will beg aunt Rachel's pardon.