Do n't you see how their legs have turned to roots and grown into the ground , by never taking any exercise , but sapping and moping always in the same place ? But here comes the Examiner - of-all-Examiners . So you had better get away , I warn you , or he will examine you and your dog into the bargain , and set him to examine all the other dogs , and you to examine all the other water - babies . There is no escaping out of his hands , for his nose is nine thousand miles long , and can go down chimneys , and through keyholes , upstairs , downstairs , in my lady 's chamber , examining all little boys , and the little boys ' tutors likewise . But when he is thrashed -- so Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid has promised me -- I shall have the thrashing of him : and if I do n't lay it on with a will it 's a pity . '' Tom went off : but rather slowly and surlily ; for he was somewhat minded to face this same Examiner-of-all-Examiners , who came striding among the poor turnips , binding heavy burdens and grievous to be borne , and laying them on little children 's shoulders , like the Scribes and Pharisees of old , and not touching the same with one of his fingers ; for he had plenty of money , and a fine house to live in , and so forth ; which was more than the poor little turnips had . But when he got near , he looked so big and burly and dictatorial , and shouted so loud to Tom , to come and be examined , that Tom ran for his life , and the dog too . And really it was time ; for the poor turnips , in their hurry and fright , crammed themselves so fast to be ready for the Examiner , that they burst and popped by dozens all round him , till the place sounded like Aldershot on a field - day , and Tom thought he should be blown into the air , dog and all . As he went down to the shore he passed the poor turnip 's new tomb . But Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid had taken away the epitaph about talents and precocity and development , and put up one of her own instead which Tom thought much more sensible : - `` Instruction sore long time I bore , And cramming was in vain ; Till heaven did please my woes to ease With water on the brain . '' So Tom jumped into the sea , and swam on his way , singing : - `` Farewell , Tomtoddies all ; I thank my stars That nought I know save those three royal r 's : Reading and riting sure , with rithmetick , Will help a lad of sense through thin and thick . '' Whereby you may see that Tom was no poet : but no more was John Bunyan , though he was as wise a man as you will meet in a month of Sundays . And next he came to Oldwivesfabledom , where the folks were all heathens , and worshipped a howling ape . And there he found a little boy sitting in the middle of the road , and crying bitterly . `` What are you crying for ? '' said Tom . `` Because I am not as frightened as I could wish to be . '' `` Not frightened ? You are a queer little chap : but , if you want to be frightened , here goes -- Boo ! '' `` Ah , '' said the little boy , `` that is very kind of you ; but I do n't feel that it has made any impression . ''
Tom offered to upset him , punch him , stamp on him , fettle him over the head XXXXX a brick , or anything else whatsoever which would give him the slightest comfort .
Because Till about for of so that though to with