"  I  shoidd  like  to  know  how  we  should  ever  get  on  without
her.  Natur,"  said  Mr.  Squeers,  solemnly,  <'is  more  easier
conceived  than  described.  Oh  what  a  blessed  thing,  sir,  to
be  in  a  state  of  natur  I "

Pending  this  philosophical  discourse,  the  bystanders  had
been  quite  stupefied  with  amazement,  while  Nicholas  had
looked  keenly  from  Snawley  to  Squeers,  and  from  Squeers
to  Ralph,  divided  between  his  feelings  of  disgust,  doubt,  and
surprise.  At  this  juncture,  Smike  escaping  from  his  father
fled  to  Nicholas,  and  implored  him,  in  most  moving  terms,
never  to  give  him  up,  but  to  let  him  live  and  die  beside  him.
"  K  you  are  this  boy's  father,"  said  Nicholas,  "  look  at  the
wreck  he  is,  and  tell  me  that  you  purpose  to  send  him  back  to
that  loathsome  den  from  which  I  brought  him."

''Scandal  again!"  cried  Squeers.  "Recollect,  you  an't
irorth  powder  and  shot,  but  I'll  be  even  with  you  one  way  or
another."

"  Stop,"  interposed  Ralph,  as  Snawley  was  about  to  speak.
