e, I swear I'll
whip him within an inch of his life."

"Swear not at all," said the mild Quaker, "nor talk of fighting, as
if thou wert a dog. I see, notwithstanding thy coarseness and vile
language, thou art not all evil, and, if thou wilt come with me,
I will endeavor to repair my former neglect, by putting thee in a
situation where thou mayst become an useful man."

The boy hesitated. Two impulses seemed to be drawing him in opposite
directions. He was afraid of the ridicule of his companion, and of the
sneer which he saw on his face, and who, now, was urging him to leave
with him. Yet, there was something peculiarly attractive about the
Quaker that was difficult to resist.

The good Quaker read the indecision of his mind, and understood the
cause. "Come," he said, "be a man, and choose for thyself like a man.
Thou shalt remain with me only so long as thou wilt, and shalt be free
to leave at thy pleasure."

"That's fair," said Haxall. "I'll go with you, sir. Goodbye, Bill," he
exclaimed, turning to his companion, and extending his hand. But
Bill, thrusting both his hands into his pockets, refused the hand, and
answered contemptuously--

"If you've turned sniveller, go and snivel with Broadbrim. I've
nothing to say to such a mean-spirited devil."

"You're a mean devil yourself," retorted Haxall, all his fiery
passions kindling at the other's taunt.

"Come, my young friend," said the gentleman, drawing him away gently,
"return not railing for railing. I trust the time may yet come, when
reproach, instead of exciting anger, will only be an incentive to
examine thy bosom more closely, to see if thou dost not deserve it."

Long before the conclusion of this conversation, the original cause
of it had entered the house with Pownal, and, upon his departure, the
little crowd had gradually dispersed, so that, when the benevolent
Quaker left, with the boy whom he hoped should be a brand plucked from
the burning, very few persons remained. Bill followed his departing
companion with a scornful laugh, but the latter--as if his good
angel stood by his side to strengthen him--had resolution enough to
disregard it.

When Holden and Pownal entered the house, the front part of which was
used as a shop, they were received with great civility by a woman who
was officiating at the counter, and, upon their desire to speak with
her husband, were shown by her into a back room, used as a parlor, and
requested to be seated. Her hus