CHAPTER IX.
OF THE MONSTROUS BEHAVIOUR OF MISS PRUE.
To begin with, I instructed him in deportment.
I put him through his paces with the exactitude of
a dancing-master.
"Tread upon your toes, sir," lifting up my skirts a little to show him how; "neater and lighter, my lad. Do not put your foot upon the carpet like a hundred weight of coals. Tip your chin a shade more upward; set your head a little backward; shorter strides and one shoe behind the other—so!"
As a pupil he proved extremely apt, and in a few minutes he was giving quite a tolerable imitation of the motions of a woman of quality. His petticoat bothered him exceedingly, but in a little time even these troubles he overcame. Once he tried a simper, and did it prettily. Then in a highly successful way he played his shoulders like an arch and laughing miss. His next attempt was at a curtsey, but here misfortune came, as his heel caught in his skirt and he fell flat upon his back.
"The penalty of impertinence," said I. "As
