ale.

Peter and his wife did not proceed on any expedition during the following
day. The former strolled gloomily about the fields, and the latter
passed many hours in the farmhouse. Towards evening, without saying a
word to either, I departed with my vehicle, and finding my way to a small
town at some distance, I laid in a store of various articles, with which
I returned. It was night, and my two friends were seated beneath the
oak; they had just completed their frugal supper. "We waited for thee
some time," said Winifred, "but finding that thou didst not come, we
began without thee; but sit down, I pray thee, there is still enough for
thee." "I will sit down," said I, "but I require no supper, for I have
eaten where I have been;" nothing more particular occurred at the time.
Next morning the kind pair invited me to share their breakfast. "I will
not share your breakfast," said I. "Wherefore not?" said Winifred,
anxiously. "Because," said I, "it is not proper that I be beholden to
you for meat and drink." "But we are beholden to other people," said
Winifred. "Yes," said I, "but you preach to them, and give them ghostly
advice, which considerably alters the matter; not that I would receive
anything from them, if I preached to them six times a day." "Thou art
not fond of receiving favours, then, young man," said Winifred. "I am
not," said I. "And of conferring favours?" "Nothing affords me greater
pleasure," said I, "than to confer favours." "What a disposition!" said
Winifred, holding up her hands; "and this is pride, genuine pride--that
feeling which the world agrees to call so noble. Oh, how mean a thing is
pride! never before did I see all the meanness of what is called pride!"

"But how wilt thou live, friend," said Peter, "dost thou not intend to
eat?" "When I went out last night," said I, "I laid in a provision."
"Thou hast laid in a provision!" said Peter, "pray let us see it.
Really, friend," said he, after I had produced it, "thou must drive a
thriving trade; here are provisions enough to last three people for
several days. Here are butter and eggs, here is tea, here is sugar, and
there is a flitch. I hope thou wilt let us partake of some of thy fare."
"I should be very happy if you would," said I. "Doubt not but we shall,"
said Peter; "Winifred shall have some of thy flitch cooked for dinner.
In the meantime, sit down, young man, and breakfast at our expense--we
will dine at thine."

On t