e way of thinking, Molly," said the father; "in whatever concerns
bodily wants and bodily comforts, it is our duty to compare our own
lot with the lot of those who are worse off, and will keep us
thankful: on the other hand, whenever we are tempted to set up our
own wisdom or goodness, we must compare ourselves with those who are
wiser and better, and that will keep us humble." Molly was now so
hungry, and found the potatoes so good, that she had no time to make
any more remarks; but was devouring her dinner very heartily, when
the barking of the great dog drew her attention from her trencher to
the door, and spying the stranger, she cried out, "Look, father, see
here, if yonder is not the good gentleman!" Mr. Johnson finding
himself discovered, immediately walked in, and was heartily welcomed
by the honest shepherd, who told his wife that this was the
gentleman to whom they were so much obliged.

The good woman began, as some very neat people are rather apt to do,
with making many apologies that her house was not cleaner, and that
things were not in a fitter order to receive such a gentleman. Mr.
Johnson, however, on looking round, could discover nothing but the
most perfect neatness. The trenchers on which they were eating were
almost as white as their linen; and notwithstanding the number and
smallness of the children, there was not the least appearance of
dirt or litter. The furniture was very simple and poor, hardly
indeed amounting to bare necessaries. It consisted of four brown
wooden chairs, which by constant rubbing, were become as bright as a
looking-glass; an iron pot and kettle; a poor old grate, which
scarcely held a handful of coal, and out of which the little fire
that had been in it appeared to have been taken, as soon as it had
answered the end for which it had been lighted--that of boiling
their potatoes. Over the chimney stood an old-fashioned broad bright
candlestick, and a still brighter spit; it was pretty clear that
this last was kept rather for ornament than use. An old carved elbow
chair, and a chest of the same date, which stood in the corner, were
considered the most valuable part of the shepherd's goods, having
been in his family for three generations. But all these were lightly
esteemed by him in comparison of another possession, which, added to
the above, made up the whole of what he had inherited from his
father: and which last he would not have parted with, if no other
could have been ha