"What's that to you, you rascal?" was the reply; "mind your own business, my good fellow, and leave the Paperist to mind his'n; that's your father's maxim, who got it from his father before him. You'll learn to find fault with other people fast enough without my teaching you. I tell you what, Jack, if you look well after yourself, you'll find little time left to bother about others. If your hands are ever idle--recollect you have ten brothers and sisters about you. Look about you--you are the oldest boy--and see what you can do for them. Do you mind that?" "Yes, father." "Very well, old chap. Then just get out the bottle, and give your father something to coax the cod down. Poll, that fish won't settle." The long hour was beginning. That bottle was the signal. A gin and water nightcap, on this occasion, officiated for the ale. Jack and his brother received a special invitation to a sip or two, which they at once unhesitatingly accepted. The sturdy fellows shook their father and fellow-labourer's hand, and were not loth to go to rest. Their mother was their attendant. The ruffle had departed from her face. It was as pleasant as before. She was but half a dissenter. So Thompson thought when he called her back again, and bade his "old 'ooman give her hobby one of her good old-fashioned busses, and think no more about it." Thompson and I were left together. "And what do you mean to do, sir, now?" was his first question. "I hardly know." I answered. "Of course, you'll cut the gang entirely--that's a nat'ral consequence." "No, Thompson, not at present. I must not seem so fickle and inconstant. I must not seem so to myself. I joined this sect not altogether without deliberation. I must have further proof of the unsoundness of its principles. A few of its professors have been faithless even to their own position. Of what religious profession may not the same be said? I will be patient, and examine further." "I was a-thinking," said Thompson, musingly, "I was a-thinking, 'till you've got something else to do----but no, never mind, you won't like that." "What is it?"