Stop That Foolishness

LYDIA, 1835

 

If I ever catch you again

with that little spelling book

I’ll tan your hide.

You hear me, George?

You hear me, John?

No more reading and writing.

If somebody tells somebody

who tells somebody else,

they‘ll take you

and cut off your fingers

so you won’t ever write again.

You want five fingers

on each hand?

Then you better stop

that foolishness.

If you don’t,

they’re sure to hurt you,

and make you tell them

Dave gave you that book,

and then they’ll whip him bloody.

Is that what you want?