Thankye，neighbour，kindly。thelarchesarecomingontolerablywell，that’scertain。andhere’stoyourgoodhealth，Mr。Grant——youandyours，notforgettingyour，whatdyecall’emraspberries——drinks——and，afterapause，resumes，I’mnotapttobeabeggar，neighbour，butifyoucouldgiveme——
HereMr。Oaklywasinterruptedbytheentranceofsomestrangers，andhedidfinishmakinghisrequest——Mr。Oaklywasnot，ashesaidofhimself，apttoaskfavours，andnothingbutGrant’scordialitycouldhaveconqueredhisprejudices，sofarastotempthimtoaskafavourfromaScotchman。HewasgoingtohaveaskedforsomeoftheBrobdingnagraspberry-plants。Thenextdaythethoughtoftheraspberry-plantsrecurredtohismemory，butbeingabashfulman，hedidnotliketogohimselfonpurposetomakehisrequest，andhedesiredhiswife，whowasjustsettingouttomarket，tocallatGrant’sgate，and，ifhewasatworkinhisgarden，toaskhimforafewplantsofhisraspberries。
TheanswerwhichOakly’swifebroughttohimwasthatMr。Granthadnotaraspberry-plantintheworldtogivehim，andthatifhehadeversomany，hewouldnotgiveoneaway，excepttohisownson。
Oaklyflewintoapassionwhenhereceivedsuchamessage，declareditwasjustsuchamean，shabbytrickasmighthavebeenexpectedfromaScotchman——calledhimselfabooby，adupe，andablockhead，foreverhavingtrustedtothecivilspeechesofaScotchman——sworethathewoulddieintheparishworkhousebeforehewouldeveraskanotherfavour，beiteversosmall，fromaScotchman。relatedtohiswife，forthehundredthtime，thewayinwhichhehadbeentakeninbytheScotchpeddlertenyearsago，andconcludedbyforswearingallfurtherintercoursewithMr。Grant，andallbelongingtohim。
SonArthur，saidhe，addressinghimselftotheboy，whojustthencameinfromwork——SonArthur，doyouhearme？letmeneveragainseeyouwithGrant’sson。
WithMaurice，father？
WithMauriceGrant，Isay。Iforbidyoufromthisdayandhourforwardtohaveanythingtodowithhim。
Oh，why，dearfather？
AsknoquestionsbutdoasIbidyou。
Arthurburstoutacrying，andonlysaid，Yes，father，I’lldoasyoubidme，tobesure。
Whynow，whatdoestheboycryfor？Istherenootherboy，simpleton，thinkyou，toplaywith，butthisScotchman’sson！I’llfindoutanotherplay-fellowforye，child，ifthatbeall。
That’snotall，father，saidArthur，tryingtostophimselffromsobbing。butthethingis，Ishallneverhavesuchanotherplay-fellow，——
IshallneverhavesuchanotherfriendasMauriceGrant。
Likefatherlikeson——youmaythinkyourselfwellofftohavedonewithhim。
Donewithhim！Oh，father，andshallInevergoagaintoworkinhisgarden，andmaynothecometomine？
No，repliedOakly，sturdily。hisfatherhasusedmeuncivil，andnomanshallusemeunciviltwice。Isayno。Wife，sweepupthishearth。
Boy，don’ttakeonlikeafool。buteatthybaconandgreens，andlet’shearnomoreofMauriceGrant。
Arthurpromisedtoobeyhisfather。HeonlybeggedthathemightoncemorespeaktoMaurice，andtellhimthatitwasbyhisfather’sordersheacted。Thisrequestwasgranted。butwhenArthurfurtherbeggedtoknowwhatreasonhemightgiveforthisseparation，hisfatherrefusedtotellhisreasons。Thetwofriendstookleaveofoneanotherverysorrowfully。
Mr。Grant，whenheheardofallthis，endeavouredtodiscoverwhatcouldhaveoffendedhisneighbour。butallexplanationwaspreventedbytheobstinatesilenceofOakly。
Now，themessagewhichGrantreallysentabouttheBrobdingnagraspberrieswassomewhatdifferentfromthatwhichMr。Oaklyreceived。
Themessagewas，thattheraspberrieswerenotMr。Grant’s。thatthereforehehadnorighttogivethemaway。thattheybelongedtohissonMaurice，andthatthiswasnottherighttimeofyearforplantingthem。Thismessagehadbeenunluckilymisunderstood。Grantgavehisanswertohiswife。shetoaWelshservant-girl，whodidnotperfectlycomprehendhermistress’broadScotch。andsheinherturncouldnotmakeherselfintelligibletoMrs。Oakly，whohatedtheWelshaccent，andwhoseattention，whentheservant-girldeliveredthemessage，wasprincipallyengrossedbythemanagementofherownhorse。Thehorse，onwhichMrs。
Oaklyrodethisdaybeingill-broken，wouldnotstandstillquietlyatthegate，andshewasextremelyimpatienttoreceiveheranswer，andtorideontomarket。
Oakly，whenhehadonceresolvedtodislikehisneighbourGrant，couldnotlongremainwithoutfindingoutfreshcausesofcomplaint。TherewasinGrant’sgardenaplum-tree，whichwasplantedclosetotheloosestonewallthatdividedthegardenfromthenursery。Thesoilinwhichtheplumtreewasplantedhappenednottobequitesogoodasthatwhichwasontheoppositesideofthewall，andtheplum-treehadforceditswaythroughthewall，andgraduallyhadtakenpossessionofthegroundwhichitlikedbest。
Oaklythoughttheplum-tree，asitbelongedtoMr。Grant，hadnorighttomakeitsappearanceonhisground：anattorneytoldhimthathemightobligeGranttocutitdown。butMr。Grantrefusedtocutdownhisplum-
treeattheattorney’sdesire，andtheattorneypersuadedOaklytogotolawaboutthebusiness，andthelawsuitwentonforsomemonths。
Theattorney，attheendofthistime，cametoOaklywithademandformoneytocarryonhissuit，assuringhimthat，inashorttime，itwouldbedeterminedinhisfavour。Oaklypaidhisattorneytengoldenguineas，remarkedthatitwasagreatsumforhimtopay，andthatnothingbuttheloveofjusticecouldmakehimpersevereinthislawsuitaboutabitofground，which，afterall，saidhe，isnotworthtwopence。Theplum-
treedoesmelittleornodamage，butIdon’tliketobeimposeduponbyaScotchman。
TheattorneysawandtookadvantageofOakly’sprejudiceagainstthenativesofScotland。andhepersuadedhim，thattoshowtheSPIRITofatrue-bornEnglishmanitwasnecessary，whateveritmightcosthim，topersistinthislawsuit。
ItwassoonafterthisconversationwiththeattorneythatMr。Oaklywalked，withresolutesteps，towardstheplum-tree，sayingtohimself，IfitcostmeahundredpoundsIwillnotletthiscunningScotchmangetthebetterofme。
Arthurinterruptedhisfather’sreverie，bypointingtoabookandsomeyoungplantswhichlayuponthewall。Ifancy，father，saidhe，thosethingsareforyou，forthereisalittlenotedirectedtoyou，inMaurice’shandwriting。ShallIbringittoyou？
Yes，letmereadit，child，sinceImust。Itcontainedthesewords：
DEARMR。OAKLY，——Idon’tknowwhyyouhavequarrelledwithus。Iamverysorryforit。Butthoughyouareangrywithme，Iamnotangrywithyou。
IhopeyouwillnotrefusesomeofmyBrobdingnagraspberry-plants，whichyouaskedforagreatwhileago，whenwewereallgoodfriends。Itwasnottherighttimeoftheyeartoplantthem，whichwasthereasontheywerenotsenttoyou。butitisjusttherighttimetoplantthemnow。
andIsendyouthebook，inwhichyouwillfindthereasonwhywealwaysputseaweedashesabouttheirroots。andIhavegotsomeseaweedashesforyou。Youwillfindtheashesintheflower-potuponthewall。I
haveneverspokentoArthur，norhetome，sinceyoubidusnot。So，wishingyourBrobdingnagraspberriesmayturnoutaswellasours，andlongingtobeallfriendsagain，Iam，withlovetodearArthurandself，Youraffectionateneighbour’sson，MAURICEGRANT。
P。S——Itisnowaboutfourmonthssincethequarrelbegan，andthatisaverylongwhile。
AgreatpartoftheeffectofthisletterwaslostuponOakly，becausehewasnotveryexpertinreadingwriting，anditcosthimmuchtroubletospellitandputittogether。However，heseemedaffectedbyit，andsaid，IbelievethisMauricelovesyouwellenough，Arthur，andheseemsagoodsortofboy。butastotheraspberries，Ibelieveallthathesaysaboutthemisbutanexcuse。and，atanyrate，asIcouldnotget’emwhenIaskedforthem，I’llnothave’emnow。Doyouhearme，Isay，Arthur？
Whatareyoureadingthere？
Arthurwasreadingthepagethatwasdoubleddowninthebook，whichMauricehadleftalongwiththeraspberry-plantsuponthewall。Arthurreadaloudasfollows：——
MonthlyMagazine，Dec。’98，p。421。
ThereisasortofstrawberrycultivatedatJersey，whichisalmostcoveredwithseaweedinthewinter，inlikemannerasmanyplantsinEnglandarewithlitterfromthestable。Thesestrawberriesareusuallyofthelargenessofamiddle-sizedapricot，andtheflavourisparticularlygrateful。InJerseyandGuernsey，situatescarcelyonedegreefarthersouththanCornwall，allkindsoffruit，pulse，andvegetablesareproducedintheirseasonsafortnightorthreeweekssoonerthaninEngland，evenonthesouthernshores。andsnowwillscarcelyremaintwenty-fourhoursontheearth。Althoughthismaybeattributedtotheseislandsbeingsurroundedwithasalt，andconsequentlyamoistatmosphere，yettheashesseaweedashesmadeuseofasmanure，mayalsohavetheirportionofinfluence。*
*Itisnecessarytoobservethatthisexperimenthasneverbeenactuallytrieduponraspberry-plants。
Andhere，continuedArthur，issomethingwrittenwithapencil，onaslipofpaper，anditisMaurice’swriting。Iwillreadittoyou。
’WhenIreadinthisbookwhatissaidaboutthestrawberriesgrowingaslargeasapricots，aftertheyhadbeencoveredoverwithseaweed，I
thoughtthatperhapsseaweedashesmightbegoodformyfather’sraspberries。andIaskedhimifhewouldgivemeleavetotrythem。Hegavemeleave，andIwentdirectlyandgatheredtogethersomeseaweedthathadbeencastonshore。andIdriedit，andburnedit，andthenI
manuredtheraspberrieswithit，andtheyearafterwardstheraspberriesgrewtothesizethatyouhaveseen。Now，thereasonItellyouthisis，first，thatyoumayknowhowtomanageyourraspberries，andnext，becauseIrememberyoulookedverygrave，asifyouwerenotpleasedwithmyfather，Mr。Grant，whenhetoldyouthatthewaybywhichhecamebyhisBrobdingnagraspberrieswasasecret。Perhapsthiswasthethingthathasmadeyousoangrywithusall。foryouneverhavecometoseefathersincethatevening。NowIhavetoldyouallIknow。andsoIhopeyouwillnotbeangrywithusanylonger。’
Mr。Oaklywasmuchpleasedbythisopenness，andsaid，Whynow，Arthur，thisissomethinglike，thisistellingonethethingonewantstoknow，withoutfinespeeches。ThisislikeanEnglishmanmorethanaScotchman。
Pray，Arthur，doyouknowwhetheryourfriendMauricewasborninEnglandorinScotland？
No，indeed，sir，Idon’tknow——Ineverasked——Ididnotthinkitsignified。AllIknowis，thatwhereverhewasborn，heisVERYgood。
Look，papa，mytulipisblowing。
Uponmyword，saidhisfather，thiswillbeabeautifultulip！
ItwasgiventomebyMaurice。
Anddidyougivehimnothingforit？wasthefather’sinquiry。
Nothingintheworld。andhegaveittomejustatthetimewhenhehadgoodcausetobeangrywithme，justwhenIhadbrokenhisbell-glass。
Ihaveagreatmindtoletyouplaytogetheragain，saidArthur’sfather。
Oh，ifyouwould，criedArthur，clappinghishands，howhappyweshouldbe！Doyouknow，father，Ihaveoftensatforanhouratatimeupinthatcrab-tree，lookingatMauriceatworkinhisgarden，andwishingthatIwasatworkwithhim。
HereArthurwasinterruptedbytheattorney，whocametoaskMr。Oaklysomequestionaboutthelawsuitconcerningtheplum-tree。OaklyshowedhimMaurice’sletter。andtoArthur’sextremeastonishment，theattorneyhadnosoonerreadit，thanheexclaimed，Whatanartfullittlegentlemanthisis！Inever，inthecourseofallmypractice，metwithanythingbetter。Why，thisisthemostcunningletterIeverread。
Where’sthecunning？saidOakly，andheputonhisspectacles。
Mygoodsir，don’tyousee，thatallthisstuffaboutBrobdingnagraspberriesistowardoffyoursuitabouttheplum-tree？Theyknow——
thatis，Mr。Grant，whoissharpenough，knows——thathewillbeworstedinthatsuit。thathemust，inshort，payyouagoodroundsumfordamages，ifitgoeson——
Damages！saidOakly，staringroundhimattheplum-tree。butIdon’tknowwhatyoumean。Imeannothingbutwhat’shonest。Idon’tmeantoaskforanygoodroundsum。fortheplum-treehasdonemenogreatharmbycomingintomygarden。butonlyIdon’tchooseitshouldcometherewithoutmyleave。
Well，well，saidtheattorney，Iunderstandallthat。butwhatIwanttomakeyou，Mr。Oakly，understand，is，thatthisGrantandhissononlywanttomakeupmatterswithyou，andpreventthething’scomingtoafairtrial，bysendingon，inthisunderhandsortofway，abribeofafewraspberries。
Abribe！exclaimedOakly，Inevertookabribe，andIneverwill。
and，withsuddenindignation，hepulledtheraspberryplantsfromthegroundinwhichArthurwasplantingthem。andhethrewthemoverthewallintoGrant’sgarden。
Mauricehadputhistulip，whichwasbeginningtoblow，inaflower-pot，onthetopofthewall，inhopesthathisfriendArthurwouldseeitfromdaytoday。Alas！heknewnotinwhatadangeroussituationhehadplacedit。OneofhisownBrobdingnagraspberry-plants，swungbytheangryarmofOakly，struckofftheheadofhisprecioustulip！Arthur，whowasfullofthethoughtofconvincinghisfatherthattheattorneywasmistakeninhisjudgmentofpoorMaurice，didnotobservethefallofthetulip。
Thenextday，whenMauricesawhisraspberry-plantsscatteredupontheground，andhisfavouritetulipbroken，hewasinmuchastonishment，and，forsomemoments，angry。butanger，withhim，neverlastedlong。Hewasconvincedthatallthismustbeowingtosomeaccidentormistake。Hecouldnotbelievethatanyonecouldbesomaliciousastoinjurehimonpurpose——Andeveniftheydidallthisonpurposetovexme，saidhetohimself，thebestthingIcando，is，nottoletitvexme。Forgiveandforget。ThistemperofmindMauricewasmorehappyinenjoyingthanhecouldhavebeenmade，withoutit，bythepossessionofallthetulipsinHolland。
Tulipswere，atthistime，thingsofgreatconsequenceintheestimationofthecountryseveralmilesroundwhereMauriceandArthurlived。Therewasaflorist’sfeasttobeheldattheneighbouringtown，atwhichaprizeofahandsomesetofgardening-toolswastobegiventothepersonwhocouldproducethefinestflowerofitskind。Atulipwastheflowerwhichwasthoughtthefinesttheprecedingyear，andconsequentlynumbersofpeopleafterwardsendeavouredtoprocuretulip-roots，inhopesofobtainingtheprizethisyear。Arthur’stulipwasbeautiful。Asheexamineditfromdaytoday，andeverydaythoughtitimproving，helongedtothankhisfriendMauriceforit。andheoftenmountedintohiscrab-tree，tolookintoMaurice’sgarden，inhopesofseeinghistulipalsoinfullbloomandbeauty。Henevercouldseeit。
Thedayoftheflorist’sfeastarrived，andOaklywentwithhissonandthefinetuliptotheplaceofmeeting。Itwasonaspaciousbowling-
green。Alltheflowersofvarioussortswererangeduponaterraceattheupperendofthebowling-green。and，amongstallthisgayvariety，thetulipwhichMauricehadgiventoArthurappearedconspicuouslybeautiful。Totheownerofthistuliptheprizewasadjudged。and，asthehandsomegarden-toolsweredeliveredtoArthur，heheardawellknownvoicewishhimjoy。Heturned，lookedabouthim，andsawhisfriendMaurice。
But，Maurice，whereisyourowntulip？saidMr。Oakly。Ithought，Arthur，youtoldmethathekeptoneforhimself。
SoIdid，saidMaurice。butsomebodyIsupposebyaccidentbrokeit。
Somebody！who？criedArthurandMr。Oaklyatonce。
Somebodywhothrewtheraspberry-plantsbackagainoverthewall，
repliedMaurice。
Thatwasme——thatsomebodywasme，saidOakly。Iscorntodenyit。
butIdidnotintendtobreakyourtulip，Maurice。
DearMaurice，saidArthur——youknowImaycallhimdearMaurice——nowyouareby，papa。hereareallthegarden-tools。takethem，andwelcome。
Notoneofthem，saidMaurice，drawingback。
Offerthemtothefather——offerthemtoMr。Grant，whisperedOakly。
he’lltakethem，I’llanswerforit。
Mr。Oaklywasmistaken：thefatherwouldnotacceptofthetools。Mr。
Oaklystoodsurprised——Certainly，saidhetohimself，thiscannotbesuchamiserasItookhimfor。andhewalkedimmediatelyuptoGrant，andbluntlysaidtohim，Mr。Grant，yoursonhasbehavedveryhandsomelytomyson。andyouseemtobegladofit。
TobesureIam，saidGrantWhich，continuedOakly，givesmeabetteropinionofyouthaneverI
hadbefore——Imean，thaneverIhadsincethedayyousentmetheshabbyansweraboutthosefoolish，whatd’yecallem，cursedraspberries。
Whatshabbyanswer？saidGrant，withsurprise。andOaklyrepeatedexactlythemessagewhichhereceived。andGrantdeclaredthatheneversentanysuchmessage。Herepeatedexactlytheanswerwhichhereallysent，andOaklyimmediatelystretchedouthishandtohim，sayingI
believeyou：nomoreneedbesaid。I’monlysorryIdidnotaskyouaboutthisfourmonthsago。andsoIshouldhavedoneifyouhadnotbeenaScotchman。Tillnow，IneverrightlylikedaScotchman。Wemaythankthisgoodlittlefellow，continuedhe，turningtoMaurice，forourcomingatlasttoarightunderstanding。Therewasnoholdingoutagainsthisgoodnature。I’msure，fromthebottomofmyheart，I’msorryIbrokehistulip。Shakehands，boys。I’mgladtoseeyou，Arthur，looksohappyagain，andhopeMr。Grantwillforgive——
Oh，forgiveandforget，saidGrantandhissonatthesamemoment。Andfromthistimeforwardthetwofamilieslivedinfriendshipwitheachother。
Oaklylaughedathisownfolly，inhavingbeenpersuadedtogotolawabouttheplum-tree。andhe，inprocessoftime，socompletelyconqueredhisearlyprejudiceagainstScotchmen，thatheandGrantbecamepartnersinbusiness。Mr。Grant’sbook-LARNINGandknowledgeofarithmetichefoundhighlyusefultohim。andhe，onhisside，possessedagreatmanyactive，goodqualities，whichbecameserviceabletohispartner。
Thetwoboysrejoicedinthisfamilyunion。andArthuroftendeclaredthattheyowedalltheirhappinesstoMaurice’sfavouritemaxim，ForgiveandForget。
WASTENOT，WANTNOT。orTWOSTRINGSTOYOURBOW。
Mr。Gresham，aBristolmerchant，whohad，byhonourableindustryandeconomy，accumulatedaconsiderablefortune，retiredfrombusinesstoanewhousewhichhehadbuiltupontheDowns，nearClifton。Mr。Gresham，however，didnotimaginethatanewhousealonecouldmakehimhappy。Hedidnotproposetoliveinidlenessandextravagance。forsuchalifewouldhavebeenequallyincompatiblewithhishabitsandhisprinciples。
Hewasfondofchildren。andashehadnosons，hedeterminedtoadoptoneofhisrelations。Hehadtwonephews，andheinvitedbothofthemtohishouse，thathemighthaveanopportunityofjudgingoftheirdispositions，andofthehabitswhichtheyhadacquired。
HalandBenjamin，Mr。Gresham’snephews，wereabouttenyearsold。Theyhadbeeneducatedverydifferently。Halwasthesonoftheelderbranchofthefamily。Hisfatherwasagentleman，whospentrathermorethanhecouldafford。andHal，fromtheexampleoftheservantsinhisfather’sfamily，withwhomhehadpassedthefirstyearsofhischildhood，learnedtowastemoreofeverythingthanheused。Hehadbeentoldthatgentlemenshouldbeabovebeingcarefulandsaving：andhehadunfortunatelyimbibedanotionthatextravagancewasthesignofagenerousdisposition，andeconomyofanavariciousone。
Benjamin，onthecontrary，hadbeentaughthabitsofcareandforesight。
Hisfatherhadbutaverysmallfortune，andwasanxiousthathissonshouldearlylearnthateconomyensuresindependence，andsometimesputsitinthepowerofthosewhoarenotveryrichtobeverygenerous。
Themorningafterthesetwoboysarrivedattheiruncle’stheywereeagertoseealltheroomsinthehouse。Mr。Greshamaccompaniedthem，andattendedtotheirremarksandexclamations。
Oh！whatanexcellentmotto！exclaimedBen，whenhereadthefollowingwords，whichwerewritteninlargecharactersoverthechimney-piece，inhisuncle’sspaciouskitchen——
WASTENOT，WANTNOT。
’Wastenot，wantnot！’repeatedhiscousinHal，inratheracontemptuoustone。Ithinkitlooksstingytoservants。andnogentleman’sservants，cooksespecially，wouldliketohavesuchameanmottoalwaysstaringthemintheface。Ben，whowasnotsoconversantashiscousininthewaysofcooksandgentlemen’sservants，madenoreplytotheseobservations。
Mr。Greshamwascalledawaywhilsthisnephewswerelookingattheotherroomsinthehouse。Sometimeafterwards，heheardtheirvoicesinthehall。
Boys，saidhe，whatareyoudoingthere？
Nothing，sir，saidHal。youwerecalledawayfromusandwedidnotknowwhichwaytogo。
Andhaveyounothingtodo？saidMr。Gresham。
No，sir，nothing，answeredHal，inacarelesstone，likeonewhowaswellcontentwiththestateofhabitualidleness。No，sir，nothing！
repliedBen，inavoiceoflamentation。
Come，saidMr。Gresham，ifyouhavenothingtodo，lads，willyouunpackthosetwoparcelsforme？
Thetwoparcelswereexactlyalike，bothofthemwelltiedupwithgoodwhipcord。Bentookhisparceltoatable，and，afterbreakingoffthesealingwax，begancarefullytoexaminetheknot，andthentountieit。
Halstoodstill，exactlyinthespotwheretheparcelwasputintohishands，andtriedfirstatonecorner，andthenatanother，topullthestringoffbyforce。Iwishthesepeoplewouldn’ttieuptheirparcelssotight，asiftheywerenevertobeundone，criedhe，ashetuggedatthecord。andhepulledtheknotcloserinsteadoflooseningit。
Ben！why，howdidyougetyoursundone，man？what’sinyourparcel？——I
wonderwhatisinmine！IwishIcouldgetthisstringoff——Imustcutit。
Oh，no，saidBen，whonowhadundonethelastknotofhisparcel，andwhodrewoutthelengthofstringwithexultation，don’tcutit，Hal，——
lookwhatanicecordthisis，andyoursisthesame：it’sapitytocutit。’WASTENOT，WANTNOT！’youknow。
Pooh！saidHal，whatsignifiesabitofpackthread？
Itiswhipcord，saidBen。
Well，whipcord！whatsignifiesabitofwhipcord！youcangetabitofwhipcordtwiceaslongasthatfortwopence。andwhocaresfortwopence！
NotI，forone！sohereitgoes，criedHal，drawingouthisknife。andhecutthecord，precipitately，insundryplaces。
Lads！haveyouundonetheparcelsforme？saidMr。Gresham，openingtheparlourdoorashespoke。
Yes，sir，criedHal。andhedraggedoffhishalfcut，halfentangledstring——here’stheparcel。Andhere’smyparcel，uncle。andhere’sthestring，saidBen。
Youmaykeepthestringforyourpains，saidMr。Gresham。
Thankyou，sir，saidBen：whatanexcellentwhipcorditis！
Andyou，Hal，continuedMr。Gresham，youmaykeepyourstringtoo，ifitwillbeofanyusetoyou。
Itwillbeofnousetome，thankyou，sir，saidHal。
No，Iamafraidnot，ifthisbeit，saidhisuncle，takingupthejaggedknottedremainsofHal’scord。
Afewdaysafterthis，Mr。Greshamgavetoeachofhisnephewsanewtop。
Buthow’sthis？saidHal。thesetopshavenostrings。whatshallwedoforstrings？
Ihaveastringthatwilldoverywellformine，saidBen。andhepulledoutofhispocketthefine，long，smoothstring，whichhadtieduptheparcel。Withthishesoonsetuphistop，whichspunadmirablywell。
Oh，howIwishIhadbutastring，saidHal。WhatshallIdoforastring？I’lltellyouwhat，Icanusethestringthatgoesroundmyhat！
Butthen，saidBen，whatwillyoudoforahat-band？
I’llmanagetodowithoutone，saidHal，andhetookthestringofhishatforhistop。Itsoonwaswornthrough，andhesplithistopbydrivingthepeatootightlyintoit。HiscousinBenlethimsetuphisthenextday。butHalwasnotmorefortunateormorecarefulwhenhemeddledwithotherpeople’sthingsthanwhenhemanagedhisown。Hehadscarcelyplayedhalfanhourbeforehesplitit，bydrivingthepegtooviolently。
Benborethismisfortunewithgoodhumour。Come，saidhe，itcan’tbehelped。butgivemethestringbecauseTHATmaystillbeofuseforsomethingelse。
Ithappenedsometimeafterwardsthatalady，whohadbeenintimatelyacquaintedwithHal’smotheratBath——thatistosay，whohadfrequentlymetheratthecard-tableduringthewinter——nowarrivedatClifton。ShewasinformedbyhismotherthatHalwasatMr。Gresham’s，andhersons，whowereFRIENDSofhis，cametoseehim，andinvitedhimtospendthenextdaywiththem。
Haljoyfullyacceptedtheinvitation。Hewasalwaysgladtogoouttodine，becauseitgavehimsomethingtodo，somethingtothinkof，oratleastsomethingtosay。Besidesthis，hehadbeeneducatedtothinkitwasafinethingtovisitfinepeople。andLadyDianaSweepstakesforthatwasthenameofhismother’sacquaintancewasaveryfinelady，andhertwosonsintendedtobeverygreatgentlemen。Hewasinaprodigioushurrywhentheseyounggentlemenknockedathisuncle’sdoorthenextday。butjustashegottothehalldoor，littlePattycalledtohimfromthetopofthestairs，andtoldhimthathehaddroppedhispocket-
handkerchief。
Pickitup，then，andbringittome，quick，can’tyou，child，criedHal，forLadyDi’ssonsarewaitingforme？
LittlePattydidnotknowanythingaboutLadyDi’ssons。butasshewasverygood-natured，andsawthathercousinHalwas，forsomereasonorother，inadesperatehurry，sherandownstairsasfastasshepossiblycouldtowardsthelanding-place，wherethehandkerchieflay。but，alas！
beforeshereachedthehandkerchief，shefell，rollingdownawholeflightofstairs，andwhenherfallwasatlaststoppedbythelanding-
place，shedidnotcryout，shewrithed，asifshewasingreatpain。
Whereareyouhurt，mylove？saidMr。Gresham，whocameinstantly，onhearingthenoiseofsomeonefallingdownstairs。Whereareyouhurt，mydear？
Here，papa，saidthelittlegirl，touchingherankle，whichshehaddecentlycoveredwithhergown。IbelieveIamhurthere，butnotmuch，addedshe，tryingtorise。onlyithurtsmewhenImove。
I’llcarryyou。don’tmovethen，saidherfather，andhetookherupinhisarms。
Myshoe！I’velostoneofmyshoes，saidshe。
Benlookedforituponthestairs，andhefounditstickinginaloopofwhipcord，whichwasentangledroundoneofthebannisters。Whenthiscordwasdrawnforth，itappearedthatitwastheverysamejagged，entangledpiecewhichHalhadpulledoffhisparcel。Hehaddivertedhimselfwithrunningupanddownstairs，whippingthebannisterswithit，ashethoughthecouldconvertittonobetteruse。and，withhisusualcarelessness，heatlastleftithangingjustwherehehappenedtothrowitwhenthedinnerbellrang。PoorlittlePatty’sanklewasterriblystrained，andHalreproachedhimselfforhisfolly，andwouldhavereproachedhimselflonger，perhaps，ifLadyDiSweepstakes’sonshadnothurriedhimaway。
Intheevening，Pattycouldnotrunaboutassheusedtodo。butshesatuponthesofa，andshesaid，thatshedidnotfeelthepainofherankleSOMUCH，whilstBenwassogoodastoplayatJACKSTRAWSwithher。
That’sright，Ben。neverbeashamedofbeinggood-naturedtothosewhoareyoungerandweakerthanyourself，saidhisuncle，smilingatseeinghimproducehiswhipcord，toindulgehislittlecousinwithagameatherfavouritecat’scradle。Ishallnotthinkyouonebitlessmanly，becauseIseeyouplayingatcat’scradlewithalittlechildofsixyearsold。
Hal，however，wasnotpreciselyofhisuncle’sopinion：forwhenhereturnedintheevening，andsawBenplayingwithhislittlecousin，hecouldnothelpsmilingcontemptuously，andaskedifhehadbeenplayingatcat’scradleallnight。InaheedlessmannerhemadesomeinquiriesafterPatty’ssprainedankle，andthenheranontotellallthenewshehadheardatLadyDianaSweepstakes’——newswhichhethoughtwouldmakehimappearapersonofvastimportance。
Doyouknow，uncle——doyouknow，Ben，saidhe——there’stobethemostFAMOUSdoingsthateverwereheardofupontheDownshere，thefirstdayofnextmonth，whichwillbeinafortnight，thankmystars！Iwishthefortnightwasover。Ishallthinkofnothingelse，Iknow，tillthathappydaycomes！
Mr。GreshaminquiredwhythefirstofSeptemberwastobesomuchhappierthananyotherdayintheyear。
Why，repliedHal，LadyDianaSweepstakes，youknow，isafamousrider，andarcher，andALLTHAT——
Verylikely，saidMr。Gresham，soberly。butwhatthen？
Dearuncle！criedHal，butyoushallhear。There’stobearaceupontheDownsonthefirstofSeptember，andaftertherace，there’stobeanarcherymeetingfortheladies，andLadyDianaSweepstakesistobeoneofTHEM。Andaftertheladieshavedoneshooting——now，Ben，comesthebestpartofit！weboysaretohaveourturn，andLadyDiistogiveaprizetothebestmarksmanamongstus，ofaveryhandsomebowandarrow！
Doyouknow，I’vebeenpractisingalready，andI’llshowyou，to-morrow，assoonasitcomeshome，theFAMOUSbowandarrowthatLadyDianahasgivenme。but，perhaps，addedhe，withascornfullaugh，youlikeacat’scradlebetterthanabowandarrow。
Benmadenoreplytothistauntatthemoment。butthenextday，whenHal’snewbowandarrowcamehome，heconvincedhimthatheknewhowtouseitverywell。
Ben，saidhisuncle，youseemtobeagoodmarksman，thoughyouhavenotboastedofyourself。I’llgiveyouabowandarrow，and，perhaps，ifyoupractise，youmaymakeyourselfanarcherbeforethefirstofSeptember。and，inthemeantime，youwillnotwishthefortnighttobeover，foryouwillhavesomethingtodo。
Oh，sir，interruptedHal，butifyoumeanthatBenshouldputinfortheprize，hemusthaveauniform。
WhyMUSThe？saidMr。Gresham。
Why，sir，becauseeverybodyhas——Imeaneverybodythat’sanybody。andLadyDianawastalkingabouttheuniformalldinnertime，andit’ssettled，allaboutit，exceptthebuttons：theyoungSweepstakesaretogettheirsmadefirstforpatterns——theyaretobewhite，facedwithgreen，andthey’lllookveryhandsome，I’msure。andIshallwritetomammato-night，asLadyDianabidme，aboutmine。andIshalltellhertobesuretoanswermyletter，withoutfail，byreturnofpost。andthen，ifmammamakesnoobjection，whichIknowshewon’t，becausesheneverthinksmuchaboutexpense，andALLTHAT——thenIshallbespeakmyuniform，andgetitmadebythesametailorthatmakesforLadyDianaandtheyoungSweepstakes。
Mercyuponus！saidMr。Gresham，whowasalmoststunnedbytherapidvociferationwithwhichthislongspeechaboutauniformwaspronounced。
Idon’tpretendtounderstandthesethings，addedhe，withanairofsimplicity。butwewillinquire，Ben，intothenecessityofthecase。
andifitisnecessary——or，ifyouthinkitnecessary，thatyoushallhaveauniform——why，I’llgiveyouone。
YOU，uncle？Willyou，INDEED？exclaimedHal，withamazementpaintedinhiscountenance。Well，that’sthelastthingintheworldIshouldhaveexpected！YouarenotatallthesortofpersonIshouldhavethoughtwouldcareaboutauniform。andnowIshouldhavesupposedyou’dhavethoughtitextravaganttohaveacoatonpurposeonlyforoneday。andI’msureLadyDianaSweepstakesthoughtasIdo。forwhenItoldherofthatmottooveryourkitchenchimney，’WASTENOT，WANTNOT，’shelaughed，andsaidthatIhadbetternottalktoyouaboutuniforms，andthatmymotherwastheproperpersontowritetoaboutmyuniform：butI’lltellLadyDiana，uncle，howgoodyouare，andhowmuchshewasmistaken。
Takecarehowyoudothat，saidMr。Gresham：forperhapstheladywasnotmistaken。
Nay，didnotyousay，justnow，youwouldgivepoorBenauniform？
IsaidIwould，ifhethoughtitnecessarytohaveone。
Oh，I’llanswerforit，he’llthinkitnecessary，saidHal，laughing，becauseitisnecessary。
Allowhim，atleast，tojudgeforhimself，saidMr。Gresham。
Mydearuncle，butIassureyou，saidHal，earnestly，there’snojudgingaboutthematter，becausereally，uponmyword，LadyDianasaiddistinctly，thathersonsweretohaveuniforms，whitefacedwithgreen，andagreenandwhitecockadeintheirhats。
Maybeso，saidMr。Gresham，stillwiththesamelookofcalmsimplicity。putonyourhats，boys，andcomewithme。Iknowagentlemanwhosesonsaretobeatthisarcherymeeting，andwewillinquireintoalltheparticularsfromhim。Then，afterwehaveseenhimitisnoteleveno’clockyetweshallhavetimeenoughtowalkontoBristol，andchoosetheclothforBen’suniform，ifitisnecessary。
Icannottellwhattomakeofallhesays，whisperedHal，ashereacheddownhishat。doyouthink，Ben，hemeanstogiveyouthisuniform，ornot？
Ithink，saidBen，thathemeanstogivemeone，ifitisnecessary。
or，ashesaid，ifIthinkitisnecessary。
Andthattobesureyouwill。won’tyou？orelseyou’llbeagreatfool，Iknow，afterallI’vetoldyou。HowcananyoneintheworldknowsomuchaboutthematterasI，whohavedinedwithLadyDianaSweepstakesbutyesterday，andheardallaboutitfrombeginningtoend？Andasforthisgentlemanthatwearegoingto，I’msure，ifheknowsanythingaboutthematter，he’llsayexactlythesameasIdo。
Weshallhear，saidBen，withadegreeofcomposurewhichHalcouldbynomeanscomprehendwhenauniformwasinquestion。
ThegentlemanuponwhomMr。Greshamcalledhadthreesons，whowerealltobeatthisarcherymeeting。andtheyunanimouslyassuredhim，inthepresenceofHalandBen，thattheyhadneverthoughtofbuyinguniformsforthisgrandoccasion，andthat，amongstthenumberoftheiracquaintance，theyknewofbutthreeboyswhosefriendsintendedtobeatsuchanUNNECESSARYexpense。Halstoodamazed。
Sucharethevarietiesofopinionuponallthegrandaffairsoflife，
saidMr。Gresham，lookingathisnephews。Whatamongstonesetofpeopleyouhearassertedtobeabsolutelynecessary，youwillhearfromanothersetofpeopleisquiteunnecessary。Allthatcanbedone，mydearboys，inthesedifficultcases，istojudgeforyourselves，whichopinions，andwhichpeople，arethemostreasonable。
Hal，whohadbeenmoreaccustomedtothinkofwhatwasfashionable，thanofwhatwasreasonable，withoutatallconsideringthegoodsenseofwhathisunclesaidtohim，replied，withchildishpetulance，Indeed，sir，I
don’tknowwhatotherpeoplethink。butIonlyknowwhatLadyDianaSweepstakessaid。ThenameofLadyDianaSweepstakes，Halthought，mustimpressallpresentwithrespect。hewashighlyastonished，when，ashelookedround，hesawasmileofcontemptuponeveryone’scountenance：
andhewasyetfurtherbewildered，whenheheardherspokenofasaverysilly，extravagant，ridiculouswoman，whoseopinionnoprudentpersonwouldaskuponanysubject，andwhoseexamplewastobeshunned，insteadofbeingimitated。
Ay，mydearHal，saidhisuncle，smilingathislookofamazement，thesearesomeofthethingsthatyoungpeoplemustlearnfromexperience。Alltheworlddonotagreeinopinionaboutcharacters：youwillhearthesamepersonadmiredinonecompany，andblamedinanother。
sothatwemuststillcomeroundtothesamepoint，’Judgeforyourself。’
Hal’sthoughtswere，however，atpresenttoofulloftheuniformtoallowhisjudgmenttoactwithperfectimpartiality。Assoonastheirvisitwasover，andallthetimetheywalkeddownthehillfromPrince’sBuilding’stowardsBristol，hecontinuedtorepeatnearlythesamearguments，whichhehadformerlyused，respectingnecessity，theuniform，andLadyDianaSweepstakes。ToallthisMr。Greshammadenoreply，andlongerhadtheyounggentlemanexpatiateduponthesubject，whichhadsostronglyseizeduponhisimagination，hadnothissensesbeenforciblyassailedatthisinstantbythedeliciousodoursandtemptingsightofcertaincakesandjelliesinapastrycook’sshop。Oh，uncle，saidhe，ashisunclewasgoingtoturnthecornertopursuetheroadtoBristol，lookatthosejellies！pointingtoaconfectioner’sshop。Imustbuysomeofthosegoodthings，forIhavegotsomehalfpenceinmypocket。
Yourhavinghalfpenceinyourpocketisanexcellentreasonforeating，
saidMr。Gresham，smiling。
ButIreallyamhungry，saidHal。youknow，uncle，itisagoodwhilesincebreakfast。
Hisuncle，whowasdesiroustoseehisnephewsactwithoutrestraint，thathemightjudgetheircharacters，bidthemdoastheypleased。
Come，then，Ben，ifyou’veanyhalfpenceinyourpocket。
I’mnothungry，saidBen。
IsupposeTHATmeansthatyou’venohalfpence，saidHal，laughing，withthelookofsuperioritywhichhehadbeentaughttothinktheRICHmightassumetowardsthosewhowereconvictedeitherofpovertyoreconomy。
Wastenot，wantnot，saidBentohimself。Contrarytohiscousin’ssurmise，hehappenedtohavetwopennyworthofhalfpenceactuallyinhispocket。
AttheverymomentHalsteppedintothepastrycook’sshop，apoor，industriousman，withawoodenleg，whousuallysweepsthedirtycornerofthewalkwhichturnsatthisspottotheWells，heldhishattoBen，who，afterglancinghiseyeatthepetitioner’swellwornbroom，instantlyproducedhistwopence。IwishIhadmorehalfpenceforyou，mygoodman，saidhe。butI’veonlytwopence。
HalcameoutofMr。Millar’s，theconfectioner’sshop，withahatfulofcakesinhishand。Mr。Millar’sdogwassittingontheflagsbeforethedoor，andhelookedupwithawistful，beggingeyeatHal，whowaseatingaqueencake。Hal，whowaswastefuleveninhisgood-nature，threwawholequeencaketothedog，whoswalloweditforasinglemouthful。
Theregoestwopenceintheformofaqueencake，saidMr。Gresham。
Halnextofferedsomeofhiscakestohisuncleandcousin。buttheythankedhim，andrefusedtoeatany，because，theysaid，theywerenothungry。soheateandateashewalkedalong，tillatlasthestopped，andsaid，Thisbuntastessobadafterthequeencakes，Ican’tbearit！andhewasgoingtoflingitfromhimintotheriver。
Oh，itisapitytowastethatgoodbun。wemaybegladofityet，saidBen。giveitmeratherthanthrowitaway。
Why，Ithoughtyousaidyouwerenothungry，saidHal。
True，Iamnothungrynow。butthatisnoreasonwhyIshouldneverbehungryagain。
Well，thereisthecakeforyou。Takeit。forithasmademesick，andIdon’tcarewhatbecomesofit。
Benfoldedtherefusebitofhiscousin’sbuninapieceofpaper，andputitintohispocket。
I’mbeginningtobeexceedingtiredorsickorsomething，saidHal。
andasthereisastandofcoachessomewherehereabouts，hadnotwebettertakeacoach，insteadofwalkingallthewaytoBristol？
Forastoutarcher，saidMr。Gresham，youaremoreeasilytiredthanonemighthaveexpected。However，withallmyheart，letustakeacoach，forBenaskedmetoshowhimthecathedralyesterday。andI
believeIshouldfinditrathertoomuchformetowalksofar，thoughI
amnotsickwitheatinggoodthings。
THECATHEDRAL！saidHal，afterhehadbeenseatedinthecoachaboutaquarterofanhour，andhadsomewhatrecoveredfromhissickness——thecathedral！Why，areweonlygoingtoBristoltoseethecathedral？I
thoughtwecameouttoseeaboutauniform。
TherewasadulnessandmelancholykindofstupidityinHal’scountenanceashepronouncedthesewords，likeonewakeningfromadream，whichmadebothhisuncleandhiscousinburstouta-laughing。
Why，saidHal，whowasnowpiqued，I’msureyoudidsay，uncle，youwouldgotoMr。Hall’stochoosetheclothfortheuniform。
Verytrue，andsoIwill，saidMr。Gresham。butweneednotmakeawholemorning’swork，needwe，oflookingatapieceofcloth？Cannotweseeauniformandacathedralbothinonemorning？
Theywentfirsttothecathedral。Hal’sheadwastoofulloftheuniformtotakeanynoticeofthepaintedwindow，whichimmediatelycaughtBen’sembarrassedattention。HelookedatthelargestainedfiguresontheGothicwindow，andheobservedtheircolouredshadowsonthefloorandwalls。
Mr。Gresham，whoperceivedthathewaseageronallsubjectstogaininformation，tookthisopportunityoftellinghimseveralthingsaboutthelostartofpaintingonglass，Gothicarches，etc。，whichHalthoughtextremelytiresome。
Come！come！weshallbelateindeed，saidHal。surelyyou’velookedlongenough，Ben，atthisblueandredwindow。
I’monlythinkingaboutthesecolouredshadows，saidBen。
Icanshowyouwhenwegohome，Ben，saidhisuncle，anentertainingpaperuponsuchshadows。*
*VidePriestley’sHistoryofVision，chapteroncolouredshadows。
Hark！criedBen，didyouhearthatnoise？Theyalllistened。andtheyheardabirdsinginginthecathedral。
It’souroldrobin，sir，saidtheladwhohadopenedthecathedraldoorforthem。
Yes，saidMr。Gresham，thereheis，boys——look——perchedupontheorgan。heoftensitsthere，andsings，whilsttheorganisplaying。
And，continuedtheladwhoshowedthecathedral，hehaslivedherethesemany，manywinters。Theysayheisfifteenyearsold。andheissotame，poorfellow！thatifIhadabitofbreadhe’dcomedownandfeedinmyhand。
I’veabitofbunhere，criedBen，joyfully，producingtheremainsofthebunwhichHalbutanhourbeforewouldhavethrownaway。Pray，letusseethepoorrobineatoutofyourhand。
Theladcrumbledthebun，andcalledtotherobin，whoflutteredandchirped，andseemedrejoicedatthesightofthebread。butyethedidnotcomedownfromhispinnacleontheorgan。
HeisafraidofUS，saidBen。heisnotusedtoeatbeforestrangers，Isuppose。
Ah，no，sir，saidtheyoungman，withadeepsigh，thatisnotthething。Heisusedenoughtoeataforecompany。Timewashe’dhavecomedownformebeforeeversomanyfinefolks，andhaveeathiscrumbsoutofmyhand，atmyfirstcall。but，poorfellow！it’snothisfaultnow。
Hedoesnotknowmenow，sir，sincemyaccident，becauseofthisgreatblackpatch。Theyoungmanputhishandtohisrighteye，whichwascoveredwithahugeblackpatch。BenaskedwhatACCIDENThemeant。andtheladtoldhimthat，butafewweeksago，hehadlostthesightofhiseyebythestrokeofastone，whichreachedhimashewaspassingundertherocksatCliftonunluckilywhentheworkmenwereblasting。Idon’tmindsomuchformyself，sir，saidthelad。butIcan’tworksowellnow，asIusedtodobeforemyaccident，formyoldmother，whohashadaSTROKEofthepalsy。andI’veamanylittlebrothersandsistersnotwellableyettogettheirownlivelihood，thoughtheybeaswillingaswillingcanbe。
Wheredoesyourmotherlive？saidMr。Gresham。
Hardby，sir，justclosetothechurchhere：itwasHERthatalwayshadtheshowingofittostrangers，tillshelosttheuseofherpoorlimbs。
Shallwe，maywe，uncle，gothatway？Thisisthehouse。isnotit？
saidBen，whentheywentoutofthecathedral。
Theywentintothehouse。itwasratherahovelthanahouse。but，poorasitwas，itwasasneatasmiserycouldmakeit。Theoldwomanwassittingupinherwretchedbed，windingworsted。fourmeagre，ill-
clothed，palechildrenwereallbusy，someofthemstickingpinsinpaperforthepin-maker，andotherssortingragsforthepaper-maker。
Whatahorridplaceitis！saidHal，sighing。Ididnotknowthereweresuchshockingplacesintheworld。I’veoftenseenterrible-
looking，tumble-downplaces，aswedrovethroughthetowninmamma’scarriage。butthenIdidnotknowwholivedinthem。andIneversawtheinsideofanyofthem。Itisverydreadful，indeed，tothinkthatpeopleareforcedtoliveinthisway。Iwishmammawouldsendmesomemorepocket-money，thatImightdosomethingforthem。Ihadhalfacrown。
but，continuedhe，feelinginhispockets，I’mafraidIspentthelastshillingofitthismorninguponthosecakesthatmademesick。IwishI
hadmyshillingnow，I’dgiveittothesepoorpeople。
Ben，thoughhewasallthistimesilent，wasassorryashistalkativecousinforallthesepoorpeople。Buttherewassomedifferencebetweenthesorrowofthesetwoboys。
Hal，afterhewasagainseatedinthehackney-coach，andhadrattledthroughthebusystreetsofBristol，forafewminutesquiteforgotthespectacleofmiserywhichhehadseen。andthegayshopsinWineStreetandtheideaofhisgreenandwhiteuniformwhollyoccupiedhisimagination。
Nowforouruniforms！criedhe，ashejumpedeagerlyoutofthecoach，whenhisunclestoppedatthewoollen-draper’sdoor。
Uncle，saidBen，stoppingMr。Greshambeforehegotoutofthecarriage，Idon’tthinkauniformisatallnecessaryforme。I’mverymuchobligedtoyou。butIwouldrathernothaveone。Ihaveaverygoodcoat，andIthinkitwouldbewaste。
Well，letmegetoutofthecarriage，andwewillseeaboutit，saidMr。Gresham。perhapsthesightofthebeautifulgreenandwhitecloth，andtheepauletteshaveyoueverconsideredtheepaulettes？maytemptyoutochangeyourmind。
Oh，no，saidBen，laughing。Ishallnotchangemymind，
Thegreencloth，andthewhitecloth，andtheepauletteswereproduced，toHal’sinfinitesatisfaction。Hisuncletookupapen，andcalculatedforafewminutes。then，showingthebackoftheletter，uponwhichhewaswriting，tohisnephews，Castupthesesums，boys，saidhe，andtellmewhetherIamright。
Ben，doyoudoit，saidHal，alittleembarrassed。Iamnotquickatfigures。BenWAS，andhewentoverhisuncle’scalculationveryexpeditiously。
Itisright，isit？saidMr。Gresham。
Yes，sir，quiteright。
Then，bythiscalculation，IfindIcould，forlessthanhalfthemoneyyouruniformswouldcost，purchaseforeachofyouboysawarmgreat-
coat，whichyouwillwant，Ihaveanotion，thiswinterupontheDowns。
Oh，sir，saidHal，withanalarmedlook。butitisnotwinterYET。itisnotcoldweatherYET。Wesha’n’twantgreatcoatsYET。
Don’tyourememberhowcoldwewere，Hal，thedaybeforeyesterday，inthatsharpwind，whenwewereflyingourkiteupontheDowns？andwinterwillcome，thoughitisnotcomeyet——Iamsure，Ishouldliketohaveagoodwarmgreat-coatverymuch。
Mr。GreshamtooksixguineasoutofhispurseandheplacedthreeofthembeforeHal，andthreebeforeBen。Younggentlemen，saidhe，Ibelieveyouruniformswouldcometoaboutthreeguineasapiece。NowIwilllayoutthismoneyforyoujustasyouplease。Hal，whatsayyou？
Why，sir，saidHal，agreat-coatisagoodthing，tobesure。andthen，afterthegreat-coat，asyousaiditwouldonlycosthalfasmuchastheuniform，therewouldbesomemoneytospare，wouldnotthere？
Yes，mydear，aboutfive-and-twentyshillings。
Five-and-twentyshillings？——Icouldbuyanddoagreatmanythings，tobesure，withfive-and-twentyshillings。butthen，THETHINGIS，Imustgowithouttheuniform，ifIhavethegreat-coat。
Certainly，saidhisuncle。
Ah！saidHal，sighing，ashelookedattheepaulettes，uncle，ifyouwouldnotbedispleased，ifIchoosetheuniform——
Ishallnotbedispleasedatyourchoosingwhateveryoulikebest，saidMr。Gresham。
Well，then，thankyou，sir，saidHal。IthinkIhadbetterhavetheuniform，because，ifIhavenottheuniform，now，directly，itwillbeofnousetome，asthearcherymeetingistheweekafternext，youknow。
and，astothegreat-coat，perhapsbetweenthistimeandtheVERYcoldweather，which，perhaps，won’tbetillChristmas，papawillbuyagreat-
coatforme。andI’llaskmammatogivemesomepocketmoneytogiveaway，andshewill，perhaps。Toallthisconclusive，conditionalreasoning，whichdependeduponthewordPERHAPS，threetimesrepeated，Mr。Greshammadenoreply。butheimmediatelyboughttheuniformforHal，anddesiredthatitshouldbesenttoLadyDianaSweepstakes’son’stailor，tobemadeup。ThemeasureofHal’shappinesswasnowcomplete。
AndhowamItolayoutthethreeguineasforyou，Ben？saidMr。
Gresham。speak，whatdoyouwishforfirst？
Agreat-coat，uncle，ifyouplease。Greshamboughtthecoat。and，afteritwaspaidfor，five-and-twentyshillingsofBen’sthreeguineasremained。
Whatnext，myboy？saidhisuncle。
Arrows，uncle，ifyouplease。threearrows。
Mydear，Ipromisedyouabowandarrows。
No，uncle，youonlysaidabow。
Well，Imeantabowandarrows。I’mgladyouaresoexact，however。Itisbettertoclaimlessthanmorethanwhatispromised。Thethreearrowsyoushallhave。Butgoon。howshallIdisposeofthesefive-and-
twentyshillingsforyou？
Inclothes，ifyouwillbesogood，uncle，forthatpoorboywhohasthegreatblackpatchonhiseye。
Ialwaysbelieved，saidMr。Gresham，shakinghandswithBen，thateconomyandgenerositywerethebestfriends，insteadofbeingenemies，assomesilly，extravagantpeoplewouldhaveusthinkthem。Choosethepoor，blindboy’scoat，mydearnephew，andpayforit。There’snooccasionformypraisingyouaboutthematter。Yourbestrewardisinyourownmind，child。andyouwantnoother，orI’mmistaken。Now，jumpintothecoach，boys，andlet’sbeoff。Weshallbelate，I’mafraid，
continuedhe，asthecoachdroveon：butImustletyoustop，Ben，withyourgoods，atthepoorboy’sdoor。
Whentheycametothehouse，Mr。Greshamopenedthecoachdoor，andBenjumpedoutwithhisparcelunderhisarm。
Stay，stay！youmusttakemewithyou，saidhispleaseduncle。Iliketoseepeoplemadehappy，aswellasyoudo。
AndsodoI，too，saidHal。letmecomewithyou。Ialmostwishmyuniformwasnotgonetothetailor’s，soIdo。AndwhenhesawthelookofdelightandgratitudewithwhichthepoorboyreceivedtheclotheswhichBengavehim。andwhenheheardthemotherandchildrenthankhim，hesighed，andsaid，Well，Ihopemammawillgivemesomemorepocketmoneysoon。
Uponhisreturnhome，however，thesightoftheFAMOUSbowandarrow，whichLadyDianaSweepstakeshadsenthim，recalledtohisimaginationallthejoysofhisgreenandwhiteuniform。andhenolongerwishedthatithadnotbeensenttothetailor’s。
ButIdon’tunderstand，CousinHal，saidlittlePatty，whyyoucallthisbowaFAMOUSbow。Yousayfamousveryoften。andIdon’tknowexactlywhatitmeans。afamousuniform——famousdoings。Irememberyousaidtherearetobefamousdoings，thefirstofSeptember，upontheDowns。Whatdoesfamousmean？
Oh，why，famousmeans——now，don’tyouknowwhatfamousmeans？Itmeans——
itisawordthatpeoplesay——itisthefashiontosayit——itmeans——itmeansfamous。Pattylaughed，andsaid，Thisdoesnotexplainittome。
No，saidHal，norcanitbeexplained：ifyoudon’tunderstandit，that’snotmyfault。Everybodybutlittlechildren，Isuppose，understandsit。butthere’snoexplainingTHOSESORTofwords，ifyoudon’tTAKETHEMatonce。There’stobefamousdoingsupontheDowns，thefirstofSeptember。thatisgrand，fine。Inshort，whatdoesitsignifytalkinganylonger，Patty，aboutthematter？Givememybow，forImustgooutupontheDownsandpractise。
Benaccompaniedhimwiththebowandthethreearrowswhichhisunclehadnowgiventohim。and，everyday，thesetwoboyswentoutupontheDownsandpractisedshootingwithindefatigableperseverance。Whereequalpainsaretaken，successisusuallyfoundtobeprettynearlyequal。Ourtwoarchers，byconstantpractice，becameexpertmarksmen。andbeforethedayoftrial，theyweresoexactlymatchedinpointofdexterity，thatitwasscarcelypossibletodecidewhichwassuperior。
ThelongexpectedlstofSeptemberatlengtharrived。Whatsortofadayisit？wasthefirstquestionthatwasaskedbyHalandBenthemomentthattheywakened。Thesunshonebright，buttherewasasharpandhighwind。Ha！saidBen，Ishallbegladofmygoodgreat-coatto-day。forI’veanotionitwillberathercoldupontheDowns，especiallywhenwearestandingstill，aswemust，whilstallthepeopleareshooting。
Oh，nevermind！Idon’tthinkIshallfeelitcoldatall，saidHal，ashedressedhimselfinhisnewgreenandwhiteuniform。andheviewedhimselfwithmuchcomplacency。
Goodmorningtoyou，uncle。howdoyoudo？saidhe，inavoiceofexultation，whenheenteredthebreakfast-room。Howdoyoudo？seemedrathertomean，Howdoyoulikemeinmyuniform？Andhisuncle’scool，Verywell，Ithankyou，Hal，disappointedhim，asitseemedonlytosay，Youruniformmakesnodifferenceinmyopinionofyou。
EvenlittlePattywentoneatingherbreakfastmuchasusual，andtalkedofthepleasureofwalkingwithherfathertotheDowns，andofallthelittlethingswhichinterestedher。sothatHal’sepauletteswerenottheprincipalobjectinanyone’simaginationbuthisown。
Papa，saidPatty，aswegoupthehillwherethereissomuchredmud，Imusttakecaretopickmywaynicely。andImustholdupmyfrock，asyoudesiredme，and，perhaps，youwillbesogood，ifIamnottroublesome，toliftmeovertheverybadplacewherearenostepping-
stones。Myankleisentirelywell，andI’mgladofthat，orelseI
shouldnotbeabletowalksofarastheDowns。Howgoodyouweretome，Ben，whenIwasinpainthedayIsprainedmyankle！Youplayedatjackstrawsandatcat’s-cradlewithme。Oh，thatputsmeinmind——hereareyourgloveswhichIaskedyouthatnighttoletmemend。I’vebeenagreatwhileaboutthem。butarenottheynotveryneatlymended，papa？
Lookatthesewing。
Iamnotaverygoodjudgeofsewing，mydearlittlegirl，saidMr。
Gresham，examiningtheworkwithacloseandscrupulouseye。but，inmyopinion，hereisonestitchthatisrathertoolong。Thewhiteteetharenotquiteeven。
Oh，papa，I’lltakeoutthatlongtoothinaminute，saidPatty，laughing。Ididnotthinkthatyouwouldobserveitsosoon。
Iwouldnothaveyoutrusttomyblindness，saidherfather，strokingherhead，fondly。Iobserveeverything。Iobserve，forinstance，thatyouareagratefullittlegirl，andthatyouaregladtobeofusetothosewhohavebeenkindtoyou。andforthisIforgiveyouthelongstitch。
Butit’sout，it’sout，papa，saidPatty。andthenexttimeyourgloveswantmending，Ben，I’llmendthembetter。
Theyareverynice，Ithink，saidBen，drawingthemon。andIammuchobligedtoyou。IwasjustwishingIhadapairofglovestokeepmyfingerswarmto-day，forInevercanshootwellwhenmyhandsarebenumbed。Look，Hal。youknowhowraggedthesegloveswere。yousaidtheyweregoodfornothingbuttothrowaway。nowlook，there’snotaholeinthem，saidhe，spreadinghisfingers。
Now，isitnotveryextraordinary，saidHaltohimself，thattheyshouldgoonsolongtalkingaboutanoldpairofgloves，withoutsayingscarcelyawordaboutmynewuniform？Well，theyoungSweepstakesandLadyDianawilltalkenoughaboutit。that’sonecomfort。Isnotittimetothinkofsettingout，sir？saidHaltohisuncle。Thecompany，youknow，aretomeetattheOstrichattwelve，andtheracetobeginatone，andLadyDiana’shorses，Iknowwereorderedtobeatthedooratten。
Mr。Stephen，thebutler，hereinterruptedthehurryingyounggentlemaninhiscalculations。There’sapoorlad，sir，below，withagreatblackpatchonhisrighteye，whoiscomefromBristol，andwantstospeakawordwiththeyounggentlemen，ifyouplease。Itoldhimtheywerejustgoingoutwithyou。buthesayshewon’tdetainthemmorethanhalfaminute。
Showhimup，showhimup，saidMr。Gresham。
But，Isuppose，saidHal，withasigh，thatStephenmistook，whenhesaidtheyoungGENTLEMEN。heonlywantstoseeBen，Idaresay。I’msurehehasnoreasontowanttoseeme。
Herehecomes——Oh，Ben，heisdressedinthenewcoatyougavehim，
whisperedHal，whowasreallyagood-naturedboy，thoughextravagant。
Howmuchbetterhelooksthanhedidintheraggedcoat！Ah！helookedatyoufirst，Ben——andwellhemay！
Theboybowed，withoutanycringingservility，butwithanopen，decentfreedominhismanner，whichexpressedthathehadbeenobliged，butthatheknewhisyoungbenefactorwasnotthinkingoftheobligation。Hemadeaslittledistinctionaspossiblebetweenhisbowstothetwocousins。
AsIwassentwithamessage，bytheclerkofourparish，toRedlandchapeloutontheDowns，to-day，sir，saidhetoMr。Gresham，knowingyourhouselayinmyway，mymother，sir，bidmecall，andmakeboldtooffertheyounggentlementwolittleworstedballsthatshehasworkedforthem，continuedthelad，pullingoutofhispockettwoworstedballsworkedingreenandorange-colouredstripes。Theyarebutpoorthings，sir，shebidmesay，tolookat。but，consideringshehasbutonehandtoworkwith，andthatherlefthand，you’llnotdespise’em，wehopes。HeheldtheballstoBenandHal。Theyarebothalike，gentlemen，saidhe。Ifyou’llbepleasedtotake’emthey’rebetterthantheylook，fortheyboundhigherthanyourhead。Icutthecorkroundfortheinsidemyself，whichwasallIcoulddo。
Theyareniceballs，indeed：wearemuchobligedtoyou，saidtheboysastheyreceivedthem，andtheyprovedthemimmediately。Theballsstruckthefloorwithadelightfulsound，andreboundedhigherthanMr。
Gresham’shead。LittlePattyclappedherhandsjoyfully。Butnowathunderingdoublerapatthedoorwasheard。
TheMasterSweepstakes，sir，saidStephen，arecomeforMasterHal。
Theysaythatalltheyounggentlemenwhohavearcheryuniformsaretowalktogether，inabody，Ithinktheysay，sir。andtheyaretoparadealongtheWellWalk，theydesiredmetosay，sir，withadrumandfife，andsoupthehillbyPrince’sPlace，andalltogoupontheDownstogether，totheplaceofmeeting。IamnotsureI’mright，sir。forboththeyounggentlemenspokeatonce，andthewindisveryhighatthestreetdoor。sothatIcouldnotwellmakeoutalltheysaid。butI
believethisisthesenseofit。
Yes，yes，saidHal，eagerly，it’sallright。IknowthatisjustwhatwassettledthedayIdinedatLadyDiana’s。andLadyDianaandagreatpartyofgentlemenaretoride——
Well，thatisnothingtothepurpose，interruptedMr。Gresham。Don’tkeeptheseMasterSweepstakeswaiting。Decide——doyouchoosetogowiththemorwithus？
Sir——uncle——sir，youknow，sincealltheUNIFORMSagreedtogotogether——
Offwithyou，then，Mr。Uniform，ifyoumeantogo，saidMr。Gresham。
Halrandownstairsinsuchahurrythatheforgothisbowandarrows。
Bendiscoveredthiswhenhewenttofetchhisown。andtheladfromBristol，whohadbeenorderedbyMr。GreshamtoeathisbreakfastbeforeheproceededtoRedlandChapel，heardBentalkingabouthiscousin’sbowandarrows。Iknow，saidBen，hewillbesorrynottohavehisbowwithhim，becauseherearethegreenknotstiedtoit，tomatchhiscockade：andhesaidthattheboyswerealltocarrytheirbows，aspartoftheshow。
Ifyou’llgivemeleave，sir，saidthepoorBristollad，Ishallhaveplentyoftime。andI’llrundowntotheWellWalkaftertheyounggentleman，andtakehimhisbowandarrows。
Willyou？Ishallbemuchobligedtoyou，saidBen。andawaywenttheboywiththebowthatwasornamentedwithgreenribands。
ThepublicwalkleadingtotheWellswasfullofcompany。ThewindowsofallthehousesinSt。Vincent’sParadewerecrowdedwithwelldressedladies，whowerelookingoutinexpectationofthearcheryprocession。
Partiesofgentlemenandladies，andamotleycrowdofspectators，wereseenmovingbackwardsandforwards，undertherocks，ontheoppositesideofthewater。Abarge，withcolouredstreamersflying，waswaitingtotakeupapartywhoweregoinguponthewater。Thebargemenrestedupontheiroars，andgazedwithbroadfacesofcuriosityuponthebusyscenethatappeareduponthepublicwalk。
ThearchersandarcheresseswerenowdrawnupontheflagsunderthesemicircularpiazzajustbeforeMrs。Yearsley’slibrary。Alittlebandofchildren，whohadbeenmusteredbyLadyDianaSweepstakes’SPIRITED
EXERTIONS，closedtheprocession。Theywerenowallinreadiness。Thedrummeronlywaitedforherladyship’ssignal。andthearchers’corpsonlywaitedforherladyship’swordofcommandtomarch。
Whereareyourbowandarrows，mylittleman？saidherladyshiptoHal，asshereviewedherLilliputianregiment。Youcan’tmarch，man，withoutyourarms？
Halhaddespatchedamessengerforhisforgottenbow，butthemessengerreturnednot。Helookedfromsidetosideingreatdistress——Oh，there’smybowcoming，Ideclare！criedhe。look，Iseethebowandtheribands。Looknow，betweenthetrees，CharlesSweepstakes，ontheHotwellWalk。itiscoming！
Butyou’vekeptusallwaitingaconfoundedtime，saidhisimpatientfriend。
Itisthatgood-naturedpoorfellowfromBristol，Iprotest，thathasbroughtitme。I’msureIdon’tdeserveitfromhim，saidHal，tohimself，whenhesawtheladwiththeblackpatchonhiseyerunning，quiteoutofbreath，towardshim，withhisbowandarrows。
Fallback，mygoodfriend——fallback，saidthemilitarylady，assoonashehaddeliveredthebowtoHal。Imean，standoutoftheway，foryourgreatpatchcutsnofigureamongstus。Don’tfollowsoclose，now，asifyoubelongedtous，pray。
Thepoorboyhadnoambitiontopartakethetriumph。heFELLBACKassoonasheunderstoodthemeaningofthelady’swords。Thedrumbeat，thefifeplayed，thearchersmarched，thespectatorsadmired。Halsteppedproudly，andfeltasiftheeyesofthewholeuniversewereuponhisepaulettes，oruponthefacingsofhisuniform。whilstallthetimehewasconsideredonlyaspartofashow。
Thewalkappearedmuchshorterthanusual，andhewasextremelysorrythatLadyDiana，whentheywerehalf-wayupthehillleadingtoPrince’sPlace，mountedherhorse，becausetheroadwasdirty，andallthegentlemenandladieswhoaccompaniedherfollowedherexample。
Wecanleavethechildrentowalk，youknow，saidshetothegentlemanwhohelpedhertomountherhorse。Imustcalltosomeofthem，though，andleaveorderswheretheyaretojoin。
Shebeckoned：andHal，whowasforemost，andproudtoshowhisalacrity，ranontoreceiveherladyship’sorders。Now，aswehavebeforeobserved，itwasasharpandwindyday。andthoughLadyDianaSweepstakeswasactuallyspeakingtohim，andlookingathim，hecouldnotpreventhisnosefromwantingtobeblowed：hepulledouthishandkerchiefandoutrolledthenewballwhichhadbeengiventohimjustbeforehelefthome，andwhich，accordingtohisusualcarelesshabits，hehadstuffedintohispocketsinhishurry。Oh，mynewball！criedhe，asheranafterit。Ashestoppedtopickitup，heletgohishat，whichhehadhithertoheldonwithanxiouscare。forthehat，thoughithadafinegreenandwhitecockade，hadnobandorstringroundit。Thestring，aswemayrecollect，ourwastefulherohadusedinspinninghistop。Thehatwastoolargeforhisheadwithoutthisband。asuddengustofwindblewitoff。LadyDiana’shorsestartedandreared。ShewasaFAMOUS
horsewoman，andsathimtotheadmirationofallbeholders。buttherewasapuddleofredclayandwaterinthisspot，andherladyship’suniformhabitwasasuffererbytheaccident。Carelessbrat！saidshe，whycan’thekeephishatuponhishead？Inthemeantime，thewindblewthehatdownthehill，andHalranafteritamidstthelaughterofhiskindfriends，theyoungSweepstakes，andtherestofthelittleregiment。Thehatwaslodged，atlength，uponabank。Halpursuedit：
hethoughtthisbankwashard，but，alas！themomenthesethisfootuponitthefootsank。Hetriedtodrawitback。hisotherfootslipped，andhefellprostrate，inhisgreenandwhiteuniform，intothetreacherousbedofredmud。Hiscompanions，whohadhalteduponthetopofthehill，stoodlaughing，spectatorsofhismisfortune。
Ithappenedthatthepoorboywiththeblackpatchuponhiseye，whohadbeenorderedbyLadyDianatofallbackandtokeepatadistance，
wasnowcomingupthehill。andthemomenthesawourfallenhero，hehastenedtohisassistance。HedraggedpoorHal，whowasadeplorablespectacle，outoftheredmud。Theobligingmistressofalodginghouse，assoonassheunderstoodthattheyounggentlemanwasnephewtoMr。
Gresham，towhomshehadformerlyletherhouse，receivedHal，coveredashewaswithdirt。
ThepoorBristolladhastenedtoMr。Gresham’sforcleanstockingsandshoesforHal。Hewasunwillingtogiveuphisuniform：itwasrubbedandrubbed，andaspothereandtherewaswashedout。andhekeptcontinuallyrepeating，——Whenit’sdryitwillallbrushoff——whenit’sdryitwillallbrushoff，won’tit？Butsoonthefearofbeingtoolateatthearcherymeetingbegantobalancethedreadofappearinginhisstainedhabiliments。andhenowasanxiouslyrepeated，whilstthewomanheldthewetcoattothefire，Oh，Ishallbetoolate。indeed，I
shallbetoolate。makehaste。itwillneverdry。holditnearer——nearertothefire。Ishalllosemyturntoshoot。oh，givemethecoat。I
don’tmindhowitis，ifIcanbutgetiton。