268 RANGE OF APPRENTICESHIP. 



I need one again, I may be enabled to avoid a similar mistake." 

 I '* pocketed "thtMnsult, as idle folks say, and set off for my 

 errand, but not without censure whence censure was expected. 



Here, for the present we will dispense with Esau — if not for 

 the future; but as the following hint (which I shall enlarge upon 

 in an " essay on rigs") may fall on good ground, I am inclined to 

 moralize. I have therefore only to remark, that if my attention 

 had been called to such nonsense as was recommended by Esau's 

 example, some other person must have told this tale. I was 

 either too stupid or too timid, had better advisers, and was made 

 to follow their advice — or, as 1 have noticed before, ** it is as it 

 was to be." I am however still inclined to this reflection; that 

 if but one half the time in early life were put to tlie wholesome 

 credit of after-life, fifty out of every hundred would be found 

 qualified for the most diflScult branches of their respective pro- 

 fessions, and a hundred to one would be gainers in the two-fold 

 luxury of competence and happiness. 



This was the story which I regretted I had to tell Mr. Crum- 

 plehorn, instead of being told the remainder of his own. The 

 baker, the baker's wife, poor pussy, and my shoe, created 

 in turns so many questions and caused so much laughter, 

 that I was fearful my time would be like my patience — quite 

 exhausted. 



At this early period I was not the owner of a watch, nor had 

 I any occasion for one. His ovni cuckoo told me, that half an 

 hour only remained. My continual notice of the clock, which 

 was in part occasioned by my concern how I should avoid the 

 baker, at length excited the attention of Mistress, who, recollect- 

 ing Mr. Crumplehorn's promise about the contniuation of his 

 tale, recruited his memory. Greatly rejoiced was I at this cir- 

 stance. Most readily would I have prevented her, and much 

 earlier; but doubtful how it might be taken, I suffered the 

 subject to pass on. It was enough, I thought, for him to pro- 

 mise, and too-much for me to remind. Mrs. C. happily antici- 

 pated me, and Mister's story was resumed. 



" 1 believe I told you how I got home," said Mr. Crumple- 

 horn. " No, no,'* returned his wife, " you only said that a bag 

 was put into your hand, and that Mistress remarked they were 

 guineas." *' i^eggy," said Mr. C, " that word sounds badly — 

 why not say mother." " Well, well, Mr. Crumplehorn," 

 rejoined Mrs. C, "you know I always did call her so — for 

 was n't she Mistress then.'' " True, true," said Mr. C. (smiling) 

 " we were speaking oUfien, so right enough — had we been speak- 

 ing of 7ioWy it would be wrong enough, for I do not like the 

 word, nor would she, if living. Well, Mr. — this bag was put 

 into my hand : but it was not my belief poor mother's words 

 were true ; and perceiving .sister's hawk-eye directed to me, I 

 was unwilling to convince myself, which would have satisfied 

 her, and disobliged my mother ; and rather than the last, I am 



