"They are indeed, Panoria."
"And why?"
"I'm sure I don't know, but when any one wants to prevent our playing, they say, 'That will give your uncle the canon a headache!' When we are not to touch something, 'tis always, 'That belongs to the canon!' If we want to eat some fine fruit, 'Don't touch that; 'tis for your uncle the canon!' And even when we are praised or rewarded, 'tis always because the canon is pleased with us!"
"Is it because he is archdeacon of Ajaccio that people are so much afraid of him?"
"Oh, no, Panoria; but because he is our tutor. Papa is not rich enough to pay for masters to teach us, and he has not time to look after our education himself; so our uncle the canon teaches us every thing. He is not unkind, but he is very strict. If we don't know our lessons, he slaps us smartly."
"And don't you call that unkind, Eliza?"
"Not exactly. Do you never get a whipping yourself, Panoria?"
"No, indeed, Eliza. It is the Corsican fashion to beat children; but our family is Greek, and mamma says Greeks must not be beaten."
"Then I'm sure, Panoria, I wish I were a Greek; for 'tis very unpleasant to be slapped!"
"I dare say your brother Napoleon does not like it either."