A LITTLE ACCOUNT. 157 



shop, to take up a tile, as he termed it, 

 and put it on his head. His friend, rather 

 pleased with such a customer, thought 

 nothing of the payment ; neither did Tom, 

 whose habits of forgetfulness in that way 

 were too deeply rooted to be eradicated 

 before a new roof was required. Time 

 went on, and it was supplied again and 

 again, and all thoughts of the cost seemed 

 to be drowned in the ever-flowing stream of 

 brandy and water, or lost in the sweet per- 

 fume of the India weed; till one morning 

 Tom was disturbed at his toilet by a boy 

 knocking at his door, with a note, and tel- 

 ling him he was not to return without an 

 answer. 



He immediately recognized in the mes- 

 senger the shop-boy of his friend, the 

 hatter. He quickly opened the note and 

 read thus : 



" DEAR TOM, I enclose your little ac- 

 count, and I think it is high time it was 

 settled." 



