“I was not thinking of the profits,” said Francisco; “but without meaning to be ill-natured to you, Piedro, I must say that I cannot enter into any partnership with you at present; but I will do what, perhaps, you will like as well,” said he, taking half the fruit out of his basket; “you are heartily welcome to this; try and sell it in the children’s fruit market. I’ll go on before you, and speak to those I am acquainted with, and tell them you are going to set up a new character, and that you hope to make it a good one.” “Hey, shall I! Thank you for ever, dear Francisco,” cried Piedro, seizing his plentiful gift of fruit. “Say what you please for me.” “But don’t make me say anything that is not true,” said Francisco, pausing. “No, to be sure not,” said Piedro; “I _do_ mean to give no room for scandal. If I could get them to trust me as they do you, I should be happy indeed.” “That is what you may do, if you please,” said Francisco. “Adieu, I wish you well with all my heart; but I must leave you now, or I shall be too late for the market.” CHAPTER II. _Chi va piano va sano_, _e anché lontano_. Fair and softly goes far in a day. PIEDRO had now an opportunity of establishing a good character. When he went into the market with his grapes and figs, he found that he was not shunned or taunted as usual. All seemed disposed to believe in his intended reformation, and to give him a fair trial. These favourable dispositions towards him were the consequence of Francisco’s benevolent representations. He told them that he thought Piedro had suffered enough to cure him of his tricks, and that it would be cruelty in them, because he might once have been in fault, to banish him by their reproaches from amongst them, and thus to prevent him from the means of gaining his livelihood honestly. Piedro made a good beginning, and gave what several of the younger customers thought excellent bargains. His grapes and figs were quickly sold, and with the money that he got for them he the next day purchased from a fruit dealer a fresh supply; and thus he went on for some time, conducting himself with scrupulous honesty, so that he acquired some credit among his companions. They no longer watched him with suspicious eyes. They trusted to his measures and weights, and they counted less carefully the change which they received from him. The satisfaction he felt from this alteration in their manners was at first delightful to Piedro; but in proportion to his credit, his opportunities of defrauding increased; and these became temptations which he had not the firmness to resist. His old manner of thinking recurred. “I make but a few shillings a day, and this is but slow work,” said he to himself. “What signifies my good character, if I make so little by it?”