‘David,’ said Mr. Murdstone,clarisonic store ‘to the young this is a world for
action; not for moping and droning in.’
—‘As you do,’ added his sister.
‘Jane Murdstone, leave it to me, if you please. I say, David, to
the young this is a world for action, and not for moping and
droning in. It is especially so for a young boy of your disposition,
which requires a great deal of correcting; and to which no greater
service can be done than to force it to conform to the ways of the
working world, and to bend it and break it.’
‘For stubbornness won’t do here,’ said his sister ‘What it wants
is, to be crushed. And crushed it must be. Shall be, too!’
He gave her a look, half in remonstrance, half in approval, and
went on:
‘I suppose you know, David, that I am not rich. At any rate, you
know it now. You have received some considerable education
already. Education is costly; and even if it were not, and I could
afford it, I am of opinion that it would not be at all advantageous to
you to be kept at school. What is before you, is a fight with the
world; and the sooner you begin it, the better.’