uestion as to
whether he would like to remain with them, and work with them on the
farm, he replied that he should like it very much if they would be kind
to him, and not make him work too hard; that he would cook the dinner,
and catch them rabbits and birds, and make a great many things.

"Will you be honest, if we keep you, and not tell lies?" said Edward.

The lad thought a little while, and then nodded his head in the
affirmative.

"Well, Pablo, we will try you, and if you are a good lad, we will do all
we can to make you happy," said Edward; "but if you behave ill, we shall
be obliged to turn you out of doors; do you understand?"

"Be as good as I can," replied Pablo; and here the conversation ended
for the present.

Pablo was a very short-built lad, of apparently fifteen or sixteen years
of age, very dark in complexion, but very handsome in features, with
beautiful white teeth and large dark eyes; and there was certainly
something in his intelligent countenance which recommended him,
independent of his claim to their kindness from his having been left
thus friendless in consequence of his misadventure. Humphrey was
particularly pleased with and interested about him, as the lad had so
nearly lost his life through his means.

"I really think, Edward," said Humphrey, as they were standing outside
of the door of the cottage, "that the lad may be very useful to us, and
I sincerely hope that he may prove honest and true. We must first get
him into health and spirits, and then I will see what he can do."

"The fact is, my dear Humphrey, we can do no otherwise: he is separated
from his friends, and does not know where to go. It would be inhuman,
as we have been the cause of his misfortune, to turn him away; but
although I feel this, I do not feel much security as to his good
behaviour and being very useful. I have always been told that these
gipsies were vagrants, who lived by stealing all they could lay their
hands upon; and, if he has been brought up in that way, I fear that he
will not easily be reformed. However, we can but try, and hope for the
best."

"What you say is very just, Edward; at the same time, there is an honest
look about this lad, although he is a gipsy, that makes me put a sort of
confidence in him. Admitting that he has been taught to do wrong, do
you not think that when told the contrary he may be persuaded to do
right?"

"It is not impossible, certainly," replied Edward; "but, Humph