THE TWO APPRENTICES. 41

about gratitude ; but his voice trembled, and he was

so much affected that he could not go on. The old

people gave him their hands, and said that it was not

needful; they understood his feelings, and were sure ‘
he would try to deserve their love.

Mrs. Osborne ordered in a very good supper that
night ; the apple-pie that had been intended for the
morrow’s dinner was sent in, and cold beef, and
pickle, and roast potatoes with plenty of butter; and
then the smart young apprentice went out to put up
the shop-shutters, secretly rejoicing to himself that it
was for the last time, inasmuch as the new apprentice
would come the next day, and then, as the junior,
this would henceforth be his duty.

We have spoken of the Osbornes’ love-feast ; the
Miss Kendricks also made one for their nephew,
which they intended should last for a whole day.
They hired a post-chaise, and drove to the pleasant
village of Hanbury in Needwood Forest, where lived
some old friends of theirs,—a good farmer and his
wife. Their nephew walked about the farmer’s
abundant garden, and ate fresh-gathered apples from
the trees, and strolled out by himself into the fields,
and came home just in time for dinner. And what
a dinner it was, with game, and hot apple-pie, and
cream, and syllabubs! and how merry the little fat
farmer was, and his wife too, and how they all ate,
and drank, and chatted, and laughed! Even Aunt
Dorothy, she was as merry as anybody.

After dinner, William went out again by himself,
He had been rather low-spirited the day before about
leaving the aunts that he loved so well and going
'prentice; but now all dull thoughts seemed driven
away. There was something inspiriting in the bright,

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