Read "A Rough Shaking" by George MacDonald online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The next morning Clare happened to do something not altogether to the farmer's mind. It was a matter of no consequence -- only cleaning that side of one of the cow-houses first which was usually cleaned last. He gave him a box on the ear that made him stagger, and then stand bewildered.
"What do you mean by staring that way? " cried the farmer, annoyed with himself and seeking justification in his own eyes. "Am I not to box your ears when I choose? " And with that he gave him another blow.