or, The Silver Skates 143

“ Pour out a little, then,’ said Lambert. “Only walk
faster: we shall lose sight of the other boys.”

“ Well,” resumed Ben, quickening his pace, and looking
with great interest at everything going on in the crowded
.street. “This Dr. Boerhaave was a great anspewker.”

“ A great what?” roared Lambert.

“Oh, I beg pardon! I was thinking of that man over
there, with the cocked hat. He’s an anspewker, isn’t he?”

“Yes. He’s an aanspreeker, if that is what you mean to
say. But what about your friend with the four heads?”

“ Well, as I was going to say, the doctor was left a penniless
orphan at sixteen, without education or friends.”

“ Jolly beginning !”” interposed Lambert.

“ Now don’t interrupt. He was a poor friendless orphan
at sixteen; but he was so persevering and industrious, so de-
termined to gain knowledge, that he made his way, and in
time became one of the most learned men of Europe. All
the— What is that?”

“Where? What do you mean?”

“« Why, that paper on the door opposite. Don’t you see?
Two or three persons are reading it. I have noticed several
of these papers since I’ve been here.”

“Oh! that’s only a health-bulletin. Somebody in the house
is ill; and, to prevent a steady knocking at the door, the family
write an account of the patient’s condition on a placard, and
hang it outside the door for the benefit of inquiring friends, —
a very sensible custom, I’m sure. Nothing strange about it
that I can see. Go on, please. You said, ¢ All the,’ and there
you left me hanging.”

“J was going to say,” resumed Ben, “that all the —all
the — How comically persons do dress here, to be sure!