136 PRECEPT AND PRACTICE. 



mental outsides, and was polishing off with a part of 

 the contents of a tin of sardines. 



** I suppose," said our friend entering, *' you young 

 gentlemen of fashion and late hours will hold this 

 an unheard-of time for a morning visit, as I was 

 once reproached for calling and insisting on seeing 

 one of you, on business of importance to him, by 

 being told I had * disturbed him in the middle of the 

 night :' it was then about this hour." 



"DeHghtedto see you!" exclaimed young Sup- 

 pliant. "You got my note? — but have you break- 

 fasted ?" 



*' I breakfasted," replied his friend, '^some three 

 hours ago, and got your note tv/o days since. Now 

 what do you want me to do ?" 



" Well then," said our young friend, " I want you 

 to aid me in getting some horses. I want you to tell 

 or show me the sort I ought to purchase ; how many 

 are necessary for what I want them to do ; and, fur- 

 ther, the price it will be necessary for me to give." 



"Anything else?" said our friend, with a good- 

 humoured smile on his face. 



