I am sorry to inform you that we are not at all satisfied with
your sister.'
'We are very much DISsatisfied with her,' observed the lady.
'I'd never say another lesson to Miss Pinch if I was to be beat to death
for it!' sobbed the pupil.
'Sophia!' cried her father. 'Hold your tongue!'
'Will you allow me to inquire what your ground of dissatisfaction is?'
asked Tom.
'Yes,' said the gentleman, 'I will. I don't recognize it as a right;
but I will. Your sister has not the slightest innate power of commanding
respect. It has been a constant source of difference between us.
Although she has been in this family for some time, and although the
young lady who is now present has almost, as it were, grown up under
her tuition, that young lady has no respect for her. Miss Pinch has
been perfectly unable to command my daughter's respect, or to win my
daughter's confidence. Now,' said the gentleman, allowing the palm of
his hand to fall gravely down upon the table: 'I maintain that there is
something radically wrong in that! You, as her brother, may be disposed
to deny it--'
'I beg your pardon, sir,' said Tom.
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