As if seeing that it must be done , and eager to have the hard task soon over , Nat drew his sleeve across his eyes and gave two more quick hard strokes that reddened the hand , yet hurt the giver more . `` Is n't that enough ? '' he asked in a breathless sort of tone . `` Two more , '' was all the answer , and he gave them , hardly seeing where they fell , then threw the rule all across the room , and hugging the kind hand in both his own , laid his face down on it sobbing out in a passion of love , and shame , and penitence : `` I will remember ! Oh ! I will ! '' Then Mr. Bhaer put an arm about him , and said in a tone as compassionate as it had just now been firm : `` I think you will . Ask the dear God to help you , and try to spare us both another scene like this . '' Tommy saw no more , for he crept back to the hall , looking so excited and sober that the boys crowded round him to ask what was being done to Nat . In a most impressive whisper Tommy told them , and they looked as if the sky was about to fall , for this reversing the order of things almost took their breath away . `` He made me do the same thing once , '' said Emil , as if confessing a crime of the deepest dye . `` And you hit him ? dear old Father Bhaer ? By thunder , I 'd just like to see you do it now ! '' said Ned , collaring Emil in a fit of righteous wrath . `` It was ever so long ago . I 'd rather have my head cut off than do it now , '' and Emil mildly laid Ned on his back instead of cuffing him , as he would have felt it his duty to do on any less solemn occasion . `` How could you ? '' said Demi , appalled at the idea . `` I was hopping mad at the time , and thought I should n't mind a bit , rather like it perhaps .
But when I 'd hit uncle one good crack , everything he had ever done for me came into my XXXXX all at once somehow , and I could n't go on .
God answer crime hand head rule scene sleeve task whisper