There were moments when I was bewildered by the terror he inspired, because I had no appeal whatever against either his menaces or his inflictions; the servants did not like to offend their young master by taking my part against him, and Mrs. Reed was blind and deaf on the subject: she never saw him strike or heard him abuse me, though he did both now and then in her very presence, more frequently, however, behind her back.
Era inútil apelar a nadie: la servidumbre no deseaba mal quistarse con el hijo de la señora, y ésta era sorda y ciega respecto al asunto. Al parecer, no veía nunca a John pegarme ni insultarme en su presencia, pese a que lo efectuaba más de una vez, si bien me maltrataba más frecuentemente a espaldas de su madre.