Mr. Midshipman Easy | Page 5

feeling was that of envy, that another should have such a
pleasure which was denied to herself; the next, that of delight, at the
satisfaction expressed by the infant. In a few minutes the child fell back
in a deep sleep. Mrs Easy was satisfied; maternal feelings conquered all
others, and Sarah was duly installed.
To make short work of it, we have said that Jack Easy in six months
was in shorts. He soon afterwards began to crawl and show his legs;
indeed, so indecorously, that it was evident that he had imbibed no
modesty with Sarah's milk, neither did he appear to have gained
veneration or benevolence, for he snatched at everything, squeezed the
kitten to death, scratched his mother, and pulled his father by the hair;
notwithstanding all which, both his father and mother and the whole
household declared him to be the finest and sweetest child in the
universe. But if we were to narrate all the wonderful events of Jack's
childhood from the time of his birth up to the age of seven years, as
chronicled by Sarah, who continued his dry nurse after he had been
weaned, it would take at least three volumes folio. Jack was brought up
in the way that every only child usually is-that is, he was allowed to
have his own way.

CHAPTER IV

In which the doctor prescribes going to school as a remedy for a cut
finger.
HAVE you no idea of putting the boy to school, Mr Easy?" said Dr
Middleton, who had been summoned by a groom with his horse in a
foam to attend immediately at Forest Hill, the name of Mr Easy's
mansion, and who, upon his arrival, had found that Master Easy had cut
his thumb. One would have thought that he had cut his head off by the
agitation pervading the whole household-Mr Easy walking up and
down very uneasy, Mrs Easy with great difficulty prevented from
syncope, and all the maids bustling and passing round Mrs Easy's chair.
Everybody appeared excited except Master Jack Easy himself, who,
with a rag round his finger, and his pinafore spotted with blood, was
playing at bob-cherry, and cared nothing about the matter.
"Well, what's the matter, my little man?" said Dr Middleton, on
entering, addressing himself to Jack, as the most sensible of the whole
party.
"Oh, Dr Middleton," interrupted Mrs Easy, "he has cut his hand; I'm
sure that a nerve is divided, and then the lock-jaw-"
The Doctor made no reply, but examined the finger: Jack Easy
continued to play bob-cherry with his right hand.
"Have you such a thing as a piece of sticking-plaster in the house,
madam?" observed the Doctor, after examination.
"O yes:-run, Mary,-run, Sarah!" In a few seconds the maids appeared,
Sarah bringing the sticking-plaster, and Mary following with the
scissors.
"Make yourself quite easy, madam," said Dr Middleton, after he put on
the plaster, "I will answer for no evil consequences.
"Had I not better take him upstairs, and let him lie down a little?"
replied Mrs Easy, slipping a guinea into the Doctor's hand.

"It is not absolutely requisite, madam," said the Doctor; "but at all
events he will be kept out of more mischief."
"Come, my dear, you hear what Dr Middleton says." "Yes, I heard,"
replied Jack; "but I shan't go." "My dear Johnny--come, love-now do,
my dear Johnny." Johnny played bob-cherry, and made no answer.
"Come, Master Johnny," said Sarah. "Go away, Sarah," said Johnny,
with a backhander. "Oh! fie, Master Johnny," said Mary. "Johnny, my
love," said Mrs Easy in a coaxing tone, "come now-will you go?" "I'll
go in the garden and get some more cherries," replied Master Johnny.
"Come, then, love, we will go into the garden." Master Johnny jumped
off his chair, and took his mamma by the hand. "What a dear, good,
obedient child it is!" exclaimed Mrs Easy; "you may lead him with a
thread." "Yes, to pick cherries," thought Dr Middleton. Mrs Easy, and
Johnny, and Sarah, and Mary, went into the garden, leaving Dr
Middleton alone with Mr Easy, who had been silent during this scene.
Now Dr Middleton was a clever, sensible man, who had no wish to
impose upon anyone. As for his taking a guinea for putting on a piece
of sticking-plaster, his conscience was very easy on that score. His time
was equally valuable, whether he were employed for something or
nothing; and, moreover, he attended the poor gratis. Constantly in the
house, he had seen much of Mr John Easy, and perceived that he was a
courageous, decided boy, of a naturally good disposition; but from the
idiosyncrasy of the father, and the doating folly of the mother, in a sure
way of being spoiled. As soon, therefore, as the