After some hours' talk about Tom's country, and other matters, the farmer, finding him to be a simple, honest fellow, agreed to take him, and they bargained for two pounds a year wages. Now, as Tom didn't mind doing a trifle of work, after his day's task was done, the farmer gave him many odd pence. After supper of winters' nights master and men told old drolls and carded wool, whilst mistress and her maids kept their turns (spinning wheels) going till they had each spun their pound of yarn. The women knitted for him warm stockings, and washed and mended his clothes. All were well pleased with Tom, and he liked his place. [80] When the year was ended, the farmer brought two pounds from his chest, laid them on the board, and, showing them to Tom, who sat opposite, said "Here are your wages, my son; but if you will give them back to me I will teach 'e a piece of wisdom more worth than silver and gold." "Give them here to me," said Tom, "and keep your pennyworth of wit." "No," said his master, "give them to me, and I will tell thee." "Well take them to thee," said Tom. Then said his master, "Take care never to lodge in a house where an old man is married to a young woman." Then they bargained for another year, and, when that was ended, his master brought two pounds; laying them on the table, as before, he said "See, Tom, here are thy wages; but if thou wilt give them back to me I will teach thee another piece of wisdom." "No, by dad," answered he; "hand them here to me; I don't want your pennyworth of wit." "No," said his master, "give them to me, and I will tell thee a piece of wisdom more worth than strength." "Take them to thee," said Tom. Then said his master, "Take care never to leave an old road for a new one." They bargained for another year. Tom now thought much of his wife and daughter, and made up his mind to return home when his time was up. Next year ended, his master brought the two pounds, and said, "See here are thy wages; but if thou wilt give them back again to me I will teach thee the best point of wisdom of all." "No bring them here; I have wit enow to find my road home again." "No," said his master, "thou wilt need it then, more than ever. Give them to me and I will tell 'e." "Take them to thee," said he. "Well now, as thee hast served me truly, like an honest fellow," said his master, "I will tell thee two points of wisdom. First, never swear to any body or thing seen through glass; second, be thrashed twice before content once. This is the best point of wisdom of all." Now Tom said he would serve no longer but leave at once and go to see his wife and child. "No, don't go to-day," his master answered; "for my wife is going to bake to-morrow morning; she shall make a cake for thee to take home to thy wife, and a hoggan (a cake with meat baked on it) for thee to eat by the way." [81] "Very well." said Tom, "as it's Whitsuntide, I'll wait till Tuesday."