L'Estrange: A Boy that would not learn his Book

There was a Stomachful Boy put to School, and the whole World could not bring him to Pronounce the First Letter of his Alphabet. Open your Mouth says the Master, and cry "A". The Boy Gapes, with so much as offering at the Vowel. When the Master could do not good upon him, his School-Fellows took him to Task among Themselves. Why 'tis not so hard a Thing methinks, says one of 'em to cry "A". No, says the Boy, 'tis not so hard neither; but if I should cry "A" once, they'd make me cry "B" too, and I'll never do that, I'm Resolv'd.

There's no Contending with Obstinacy and Ill Nature; especially where there's a Perverseness of Affection that goes along with it.

Source: L'Estrange 454.

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M0961 (not in Perry)