In a short time he learnt to plait baskets and hampers--a coarse and poorly-paid kind of labour which finds a ready market.

He was very soon able to work on his own account.
This trade pleased him, as it was not over laborious.

He could still indulge his idleness, and that was what he chiefly cared for.

He would only take to his work when he could no longer do otherwise; then he would hurriedly plait a dozen baskets and go and sell them in the market.

As long as the money lasted he lounged about, visiting all the taverns and digesting his drink in the sunshine.