`` Yes ; but please do n't make me , I ca n't bear it , '' cried Nat , backing up against the door with both hands behind him , and a face full of distress . `` Why do n't he up and take it like a man ? I would , '' thought Tommy , though his heart beat fast at the sight . `` I shall keep my word , and you must remember to tell the truth . Obey me , Nat , take this and give me six good strokes . '' Tommy was so staggered by this last speech that he nearly tumbled down the bank , but saved himself , and hung onto the window ledge , staring in with eyes as round as the stuffed owl 's on the chimney-piece . Nat took the rule , for when Mr. Bhaer spoke in that tone everyone obeyed him , and , looking as scared and guilty as if about to stab his master , he gave two feeble blows on the broad hand held out to him . Then he stopped and looked up half-blind with tears , but Mr. Bhaer said steadily : `` Go on , and strike harder . '' As if seeing that it must be done , and eager to have the hard task soon over , Nat drew his sleeve across his eyes and gave two more quick hard strokes that reddened the hand , yet hurt the giver more . `` Is n't that enough ? '' he asked in a breathless sort of tone . `` Two more , '' was all the answer , and he gave them , hardly seeing where they fell , then threw the rule all across the room , and hugging the kind hand in both his own , laid his face down on it sobbing out in a passion of love , and shame , and penitence : `` I will remember ! Oh ! I will ! '' Then Mr. Bhaer put an arm about him , and said in a tone as compassionate as it had just now been firm : `` I think you will . Ask the dear God to help you , and try to spare us both another scene like this . '' Tommy saw no more , for he crept back to the hall , looking so excited and sober that the boys crowded round him to ask what was being done to Nat . In a most impressive whisper Tommy told them , and they looked as if the sky was about to fall , for this reversing the order of things almost took their breath away . `` He made me do the same thing once , '' said Emil , as if confessing a crime of the deepest dye . `` And you hit him ?
dear old Father XXXXX ?
Bhaer Emil Nat Tommy arm chimney-piece fall penitence scene tone