` What in the world made you tell me you took those things , Topsy ? ' ` Why , missis said I must ` fess . I could n't think of nothing else to ` fess , ' said Topsy , wiping her eyes . ` But of course , I did n't want you to confess things you did n't do , ' said Miss Ophelia . ` That is telling a lie just as much as the other . ' ` Laws , now , is it ? ' said Topsy , looking surprised and innocent . ` Poor Topsy , ' said Eva , ` why need you steal ? You are going to be taken good care of now . I am sure I would rather give you anything of mine than have you steal it . ' Topsy had never been spoken to so kindly and gently in all her life . For a minute she looked as if she were going to cry . The next she was grinning as usual in her ugly way . What was to be done with Topsy ? Miss Ophelia was quite puzzled . She shut her up in a dark room till she could think about it . ' I do n't see , ' she said to Mr. St. Clare , ` how I am going to manage that child without whipping her . ' ` Well , whip her , then . ' ' I never heard of bringing up children without it , ' said Miss Ophelia . ` Oh , well , do as you think best .
Only , I have seen this XXXXX beaten with a poker , knocked down with the shovel or tongs , or anything that came handy .
Laws Mr. child course eyes life things way whip world