20 Fred the Apprentice.

“You find me a good deal changed, don't
you ?’ said he in a voice which showed vexation,
not remorse ; ‘but I’ve had rather a long trip
since I left you, and have had more than once
to go without my meals, and go supperless to
sleep.’

‘What has kept you away so long from
home ?’ asked Fred, with hesitation.

‘The best of all reasons: I was tired of work-
ing in a cotton-mill. The overseer saw that I
had no great relish for that sort of work, so he
said something about me to the master, who
politely sent me about my business a fortnight
ago.’

‘That is a great misfortune for us, who have
nothing but what we earn to depend upon; but
that was no good reason why you should have
disappeared in the way you did.’

‘I feared that old Mrs. Ridler would not keep
me when she found that I was out of work,’

‘At my request, she might have let you stay
with her ; besides, you have known for many a
long day that I have a loaf and a home to share
with you.’

“Yes; but I expected also a share of sermons
from you at the same time, and I won't have