58 EDWARD'S PETS KILLED. CHAP. in. 



little pet. " I wouldn't have cared so much for my- 

 self," he said, " if he had only spared my bird ! " 

 Then he told his mother all that had happened, and he 

 added that if Begg struck him again without a cause, he 

 would certainly run away. She strongly remonstrated 

 against this ; because, being bound apprentice for six 

 years, he must serve out his time, come what would. 



On returning to the shoemaker's shop in the 

 afternoon, Edward was met at the door by his 

 master, who first shook him and then searched him. 

 But finding there was nothing about him, he was 

 allowed to go to his seat. And thus three years 

 passed. The boy learnt something of his trade. The 

 man went on from bad to worse. In his drunken 

 fits he often abused and thrashed his apprentice. 

 At last the climax came. One day Edward brought 

 three young moles to the shop. The moles were safely 

 ensconced in his bonnet. When Begg found the moles 

 he killed them at once, knocked down Edward with a 

 last, seized him by the neck and breast, dragged him 

 to the door, and with a horrible imprecation threw 

 him into the street. Edward was a good deal hurt ; 

 but he went home, determined that 'from that day he 

 would never again serve under such a brute. 



Begg called at his mother's next day, and ordered 

 the boy to return to his work. Edward refused. Begg 

 then invoked the terrors of the law. " He would 

 compel Edward to fulfil his apprenticeship. He 

 would prosecute his father and his two sureties, and 



