"You was not here."
"Nor did you expect I would be, if you have taught me to speak, write, and understand correctly."
"What do you mean, you saucy boy?"
"I mean to mind my master, and do what he tells me to."
"Why didn't you do so then?"
"I did."
"You didn't."
"I did."
"You lie, you insult me, you contradict me, you saucy fellow. You are not fit to be in school. I will punish you severely." And in a passion he starts for his ferrule, takes the boys hand, and bruises him badly; the honest little fellow all the while pleading innocence of any intended wrong.
In a short time they commence parsing this sentence: "It is necessary to be very particular in ascertaining the meaning of words before we use them." The master puts to be to the same boy. He says it is an active verb, infinitive mood.