but once I mighty near got a beatin'.

He had pets mongst de wimmen folks, an' used t' let 'em off easy, w'en dey desarved a good beatin'.

He had pets amongst de women folks, an let some of em off light when they deserved good beatins.

I was that frightened and that surprised, as you might have 'eard my 'eart beatin' like carpets.

I've seen them take babies from the mother's arm and if the mother dare cry, they would git a beatin'.

I nevah heard o' nobody dyin' f'm gittin' a beatin'.

but the dear creters do look weel in muffswhether they haud them, wi' their invisible hauns clasped thegither in their beauty within the cozy silk linin', close prest to their innicent waists, just aneath the glad beatins o' their first love-touched hearts.

Den she run an' 'gin beatin' on me.