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As to me, said Tom, tumbling his hair all manner of ways with his sulky hands, I am a Donkey, thats what I am. I am as obstinate as one, I am more stupid than one, I get as much pleasure as one, and I should like to kick like one. Not me, I hope, Tom? No, Loo; I wouldnt hurt you. I made an exception of you at first. I dont know what this jolly old Jaundiced Jail, Tom had paused to find a sufficiently complimentary and expressive name for the parental roof, and seemed to relieve his mind for a moment by the strong alliteration of this one, would be without you. Indeed, Tom? Do you really and truly say so? Why, of course I do. Whats the use of talking about it! returned Tom, chafing his face on his coat- sleeve, as if to mortify his flesh, and have it in unison with his spirit. Because, Tom, said his sister, after silently watching the sparks awhile, as I get older, and nearer growing up, I often sit wondering here, and think how unfortunate it is for me that I cant reconcile you to home better than I am able to do. I dont know what other girls know. I cant play to you, or sing to you. I cant talk to you so as to enlighten your mind, for I never see any amusing sights or read any amusing books that it would be a pleasure or a relief to you to talk about, when you are tired. Well, no more do I. I am as bad as you in that respect; and I am a Mule too, which youre not. If father was determined to make me either a Prig or a Mule, and I am not a Prig, why, it stands to reason, I must be a Mule. And so I am, said Tom, desperately. Its a great pity, said Louisa, after another pause, and speaking thoughtfully out of her dark corner! its a great pity, Tom. Its very unfortunate for both of us. Oh! You, said Tom; you are a girl, Loo, and a girl comes out of it better than a boy does. I dont miss anything in you. You are the only pleasure I have you can brighten even this place and you can always lead me as you like. You are a dear brother, Tom; and while you think I can do such things, I dont so much mind knowing better. Though I do know better, Tom, and am very sorry for it. She came and kissed him and went back into her corner again. I wish I could collect all the Facts we hear so much about, said Tom, spitefully setting his teeth, and all the Figures, and all the people who found them out: and I wish I could put a thousand barrels of gunpowder under them, and blow them all up together! However, when I go to live with old Bounderby, Ill have my revenge. Your revenge, Tom? I mean, Ill enjoy myself a little, and go about and see something, and hear something. Ill recompense myself for the way in which I have been brought up. But dont disappoint yourself beforehand, Tom. Mr Bounderby thinks as father thinks, and is a great deal rougher, and not half so kind. Oh; said Tom, laughing; I dont mind that. I shall very well know how to manage and smooth old Bounderby! Their shadows were defined upon the wall, but those of the high presses in the room were all blended together on the wall and on the ceiling, as if the brother and sister were overhung by a dark cavern. Or, a fanciful imagination if such treason could have been there might have made it out to be the shadow of their subject, and of its lowering association with their future. |
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