 more young Joe submitted, the more absolute old John became. The ell
soon faded into nothing. Yards, furlongs, miles arose; and on went old John in
the pleasantest manner possible, trimming off an exuberance in this place,
shearing away some liberty of speech or action in that, and conducting himself
in his small way with as much high mightiness and majesty, as the most glorious
tyrant that ever had his statue reared in the public ways, of ancient or of
modern times.
    As great men are urged on to the abuse of power (when they need urging,
which is not often), by their flatterers and dependents, so old John was
impelled to these exercises of authority by the applause and admiration of his
Maypole cronies, who, in the intervals of their nightly pipes and pots, would
shake their heads and say that Mr. Willet was a father of the good old English
sort; that there were no new-fangled notions or modern ways in him; that he put
them in mind of what their fathers were when they were boys; that there was no
mistake about him; that it would be well for the country if there were more like
him, and more was the pity that there were not; with many other original remarks
of that nature. Then they would condescendingly give Joe to understand that it
was all for his good, and he would be thankful for it one day; and in
particular, Mr. Cobb would acquaint him, that when he was his age, his father
thought no more of giving him a parental kick, or a box on the ears, or a cuff
on the head, or some little admonition of that sort, than he did of any other
ordinary duty of life; and he would further remark, with looks of great
significance, that but for this judicious bringing up, he might have never been
the man he was at that present speaking; which was probable enough, as he was,
beyond all question, the dullest dog of the party. In short, between old John
and old John's friends, there never was an unfortunate young fellow so bullied,
badgered, worried, fretted, and brow-beaten; so constantly beset, or made so
tired of his life, as poor Joe Willet.
    This had come to be the recognised and established state of things; but as
John was very anxious to flourish his supremacy before the eyes of Mr. Chester,
he did that day exceed himself, and did so goad and chafe his son and heir, that
but for Joe's having made a solemn
