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Nor was I without my share of the effects of his malice, while I endeavoured to protect my tutor; but that I have long forgiven; nay, I prevailed with Mr Thwackum to forgive him too, and not to inform you of a secret which I feared might be fatal to him.
And at last gave him a little horse to make him amends; again repeating his sorrow for what had past. Tom's guilt now flew in his face more than any severity could make it. He could more easily bear the lashes of Thwackum, than the generosity of Allworthy. The tears burst from his eyes, and he fell upon his knees, crying, "Oh, sir, you are too good to me. Indeed you are.
"Oho!" says Thwackum, "you will not! then I will have it out of your br h;" that being the place to which he always applied for information on every doubtful occasion.
In this Thwackum had the advantage; for while Square could only scarify the poor lad's reputation, he could flea his skin; and, indeed, he considered every lash he gave him as a compliment paid to his mistress; so that he could, with the utmost propriety, repeat this old flogging line, "Castigo te non quod odio habeam, sed quod AMEM. I chastise thee not out of hatred, but out of love."
The two gentlemen did indeed somewhat differ in opinion concerning the objects of this sublime virtue; by which Thwackum would probably have destroyed one half of mankind, and Square the other half.
But such reformations are rather to be wished than hoped for: I shall content myself, therefore, with this short hint, and return to my narrative. Western began now to inquire into the original rise of this quarrel. To which neither Blifil nor Jones gave any answer; but Thwackum said surlily, "I believe the cause is not far off; if you beat the bushes well you may find her."
Lastly, by prevailing with Thwackum to conceal the matter for a time, he knew he should confirm an opinion of his friendship to Jones, which he had greatly laboured to establish in Mr Allworthy. A short chapter; but which contains sufficient matter to affect the good-natured reader. It was Mr Allworthy's custom never to punish any one, not even to turn away a servant, in a passion.
He said, the present occasion would put to the test those excellent rudiments which he had learnt from Mr Thwackum and Mr Square; and it would be entirely owing to them, if he was enabled to survive such misfortunes. It was now debated whether Mr Allworthy should be informed of the death of his sister.
This reinforcement, however, soon put an end to the action, and Jones with his ally obtained the victory. In which is seen a more moving spectacle than all the blood in the bodies of Thwackum and Blifil, and of twenty other such, is capable of producing. The rest of Mr Western's company were now come up, being just at the instant when the action was over.
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