Has this Leather been making advances toward you, and telling you some pitiful tale of his innocency to excite your compassion ?" "Oh no, father," cried Nic.

"He has been as distant and surly to me as could be." "Ah! There you see! The man is not well behaved." "He works well, father, and was doing his best; but Brookes does nothing but bully and find fault, and he went on so yesterday at the poor fellow that at last I felt as if I couldn't bear it, and--and I'm afraid I got in a terrible passion and talked as if I were the master." "I repeat what I said, Nic.

I am very sorry, and I must ask you to be more careful.

You say you played the master ?" "Yes, father." "Very badly, my lad.

He is a poor master who cannot govern his temper.
Men under you always respect quiet firmness, and it will do more in ruling or governing than any amount of noisy bullying.