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XXI
He handed his father the seven shillings, and received a furious belting for losing his situation. He cried quietly, but it was not because of the strap. All he feared now was to meet Father Sturt. He had rather fifty beltings than Father Sturt's reproaches; and, having disgraced himself with Mr. Grinder in some mysterious way which it was beyond his capacity to understand, what but reproaches could he expect from the vicar? The whole world was against him. As for himself, he was hopeless: plainly, he must have some incomprehensible defect of nature, since he offended, do as he might, and could neither understand or redeem his fault. He wondered if had been so with little Neddy Wright, who had found the world too
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