48 THE TWO APPRENTICES.

velow it? They were troubled and discontented.
They feared that he did not make all the efforts in
his power; perhaps he was careless and inattentive :
they must talk with him, and try to rouse up a
spirit of emulation in him. Next moment, they
were half-disposed to be out of humour with his
companion’s facility of mind—it is so unpleasant to
be outstripped ourselves, or to see those one loves
and cares for outstripped.

The next evening, the aunts sent their compli-
ments to Mr. Osborne, and begged that he would
let their nephew drink tea with them. He came,
and by the gentlest manoeuvres in the world,
the affectionate aunts began to test the young
apprentice’s knowledge and skill. How did he
like his business ?—did he feel that he was getting
on at all ?—did light begin to break in upon him in
any way ?—did he feel that he could keep up with
Williams? To these questions he replied, that he
did like his business—that he felt he was getting
on—light was breaking in upon him, even in Latin ;
he had made up a prescription that very day—but
as to keeping up with Williams, that was not an
easy thing. Williams could make out a prescription
above a month ago. Williams was so very clever,
he could do anything that he liked; he learned
without the least trouble, and had such a memory
as never was !

Such was his report of his fellow-apprentice.
The aunts listened in silence, and concluded that it
must be as Mr. Isaacs had said; Williams was a
youth of extraordinary abilities. They sighed over
their nephew, who seemed to have but common
abilities, and were kinder to him than ever; per-