SCHOOL-CHAT IN PLAY-HOURS, 189

wretchedness. My mother would not have me learn
such things for the world. But what can you mean, sir?”
_ “T mean, Charles, that if you would avoid learning
such evil things, you must not put yourself under evil
teachers.”

Charles, “Teachers, sir! I never heard of a school
for teaching those things you mentioned. What
teachers are there, I wonder, to teach drunkenness
and lying, and swearing 2?”

Adler, “Too many, too many. Suppose I should let
you and your brother Edward go every night, or when-
ever you chose, to the tavern at the ferry.”

Charles, “T should be afraid to go. Mr. Barry s: says,
those who go there learn to drink rum.” _

Adler, “True enough ; and many other bad things,
such as playing cards, talking wickedly, and taking
God’s holy name in vain. But suppose I should allow
you and Edward to play every day with a person who
curses horribly—”

Charles, “Then I suppose we should be in danger of
learning to do the like.”

_ Adler, “ Would not such a person, then, be your
teacher ?” :

Charles, “ Yes, sir.”

Adler. “ And would not he be a teacher of wicked-
ness?”

Charles, “T see, see! You have been meaning Bill
Sunbury all along.”