We made ourselves as snug as our means allowed in the arch of the dresser.

I had just fastened our pinafores together, and hung them up for a curtain, when in comes Joseph, on an errand from the stables.

He tears down my handiwork, boxes my ears, and croaks: '"T' maister nobbut just buried, and Sabbath not o'ered, und t' sound o' t' gospel still i' yer lugs, and ye darr be laiking! Shame on ye! sit ye down, ill childer! there's good books eneugh if ye'll read 'em: sit ye down, and think o' yer sowls!" 'Saying this, he compelled us so to square our positions that we might receive from the far-off fire a dull ray to show us the text of the lumber he thrust upon us.

I could not bear the employment.

I took my dingy volume by the scroop, and hurled it into the dog-kennel, vowing I hated a good book.