d, when he safely got out.

Samuel shook off the mud as well as he could, and then to show his
gratitude to the little boy who had assisted him, he bit off about a
quarter of the apple which caused this disaster, and which he never let
go, and desired him to accept of it. But the boy, disgusted with so
pitiful a gift, took the morsel, and then flung it in his face; and this
served as a signal for all the boys to scout him. They pursued Samuel
quite home, hooting him all the way he went.

This was the first time he had ever been hooted, and, as he did not want
for feeling, it threw him into a depth of thought. He kept out of his
father's presence, and confined himself to his room for some days. There
he reasoned with himself on the cause that could produce such treatment
from his playfellows. "For what reason," said he to himself, "could my
little neighbour, who even lent me his hand to get out of the pond,
throw the apple in my face, and set the boys to hoot me? Why has he so
many good friends, while I have not a single one?"

On comparing the good boy's behaviour with his own, he soon discovered
the reason. To become sensible of our errors is half the work of
reformation. He recollected, that he had observed his friend was always
ready to help every one; that whenever he had any fruit, confectionary,
or the like, he seemed to feel more pleasure in sharing it with his
companions, than in eating it himself, and had no kind of amusement in
which he did not wish every one to bear a part. On this short review of
circumstances, he plainly perceived wherein lay the difference between
himself and this little good boy. He at last resolved to imitate him;
and the next day, filling his pockets with fruit, he ran up to every boy
he met and gave him a part of it; but he could not, on a sudden, give up
_self_, having left a little in his pocket to eat at home in private.

Though it is evident that he had not yet completely conquered his
avarice, yet he was not a little pleased with the advances he had made,
since his companions were now, on their part, more generous to him; they
showed themselves much more satisfied with his company, and admitted him
a partner in all their little pastimes; they divided with him whatever
they happened to have, and he always went home pleased and satisfied.

Soon after, he made a still greater progress in conquering his selfish
disposition; for he pulled out of his pocket every thing he had, and
d