I say let him keep away,' said Mr.Creakle, striking his hand upon the table, and looking at Mrs.Creakle, 'for he knows me.

Now you have begun to know me too, my young friend, and you may go.

Take him away.' I was very glad to be ordered away, for Mrs.and Miss Creakle were both wiping their eyes, and I felt as uncomfortable for them as I did for myself.

But I had a petition on my mind which concerned me so nearly, that I couldn't help saying, though I wondered at my own courage: 'If you please, sir--' Mr.Creakle whispered, 'Hah! What's this ?' and bent his eyes upon me, as if he would have burnt me up with them.
'If you please, sir,' I faltered, 'if I might be allowed (I am very sorry indeed, sir, for what I did) to take this writing off, before the boys come back--' Whether Mr.Creakle was in earnest, or whether he only did it to frighten me, I don't know, but he made a burst out of his chair, before which I precipitately retreated, without waiting for the escort Of the man with the wooden leg, and never once stopped until I reached my own bedroom, where, finding I was not pursued, I went to bed, as it was time, and lay quaking, for a couple of hours.
Next morning Mr.Sharp came back.

Mr.Sharp was the first master, and superior to Mr.Mell.