body can set right again in a month!' Will then took up hats full
of the corn and chaff, and threw it in the two men's faces; afterwards
taking up a flail, he gave Simon a blow across his back, saying, at the
same time, 'I will show you the way to thresh, and separate the flesh
from the bones.' 'O! will you so, young squire?' said John; 'I will
show you the way to make naughty boys good.' He then left the barn, but
presently returned accompanied by a gentleman, upon the sight of whom
Will let fall the flail, which he was till then brandishing over Simon's
head, and was going away, when the gentleman taking hold of his hand,
said, 'You do not stir from this place, Master William, nor have one
mouthful of breakfast, till you have asked the men pardon for your
behaviour, and likewise sifted every grain of corn from the chaff which
you have mixed with it. When you have done that, you may have some
food, but not before; and afterward you may spend the rest of the day in
threshing, then you will be a better judge, my boy, of the fatigue and
labour of it, and find how you should like, after working hard all day,
to have it rendered useless by a mischievous boy. Remember, William,
what I have now said to you, for I do insist upon being minded; and I
promise you, that if you offer to play, or do anything else today, you
shall be punished very severely.' The gentleman then went away. Will
muttered something, I could not exactly hear what, began to sift the
corn, and so much had he mixed together, that he did not go in for his
breakfast till after I had heard the church clock strike one, though
it was before eight when he came into the barn. In about an hour he
returned, and the other boy with him, who addressed him, saying, 'Ah!
Will, you had better have taken my advice, and not have done so: I
thought what you would get by your nice fun as you called it. I never
knew any good come of mischief; it generally brings those who do it into
disgrace; or if they should happen to escape unpunished, still it
is always attended with some inconvenience: it is an ill-natured
disposition which can take pleasure in giving trouble to any one.' 'Do
hold your tongue, James,' replied Will; 'I declare I have not patience
to hear you preach, you are so prodigiously wise, and prudent, and
sober; you had better go indoors and sew with your mamma, for you talk
just as if you were a girl, and not in the least like a boy of spirit.'
'Like a girl!' resumed