Page:Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey (1st edition), Volume 3 (Agnes Grey).djvu/94

86 indecently and clamorously interrupt the conversation of their elders, teaze them with the most impertinent questions, roughly collar the gentlemen, climb their knees uninvited, hang about their shoulders, or rifle their pockets, pull the ladies' gowns, disorder their hair, tumble their collars, and importunately beg for their trinkets.

Mrs. Bloomfield had the sense to be shocked and annoyed at all this, but she had not sense to prevent it. She expected me to prevent it;—and how could I—when the guests, with their fine clothes and new faces, continually flattered and indulged them out of complaisance to their parents—how could I with my homely garments, every-day face, and honest words, draw them away? I strained every nerve to do so;—by striving to amuse them, I endeavoured to attract them to my side, by the exertion of such authority as I possessed, and by such severity as I dared to use, I tried to deter them from tormenting the guests; and by reproaching their unmannerly conduct, to make them ashamed to repeat it. But they knew no shame—they scorned authority which had no terrors to back it, and as for kindness and affection, either they had no hearts, or