ed to his faults, by talking about them every night, when there
was no amendment during the day.

Though she spoke very kindly, and kissed him before she went away, Hugh
felt that he was punished. He felt more unhappy than if his mother had
told him all she thought of his idleness. Though his mother had told
him to go to sleep, and blessed him, he could not help crying a little,
and wishing that he was a Crofton boy. He supposed the Crofton boys all
got their lessons done somehow, as a matter of course; and then they
could go to sleep without any uncomfortable feelings or any tears.

In the morning all these thoughts were gone. He had something else to
think about; for he had to play with Harry, and take care of him, while
Susan swept and dusted the parlour: and Harry was bent upon going into
the shop--a place where, according to the rule of the house, no child of
the family was ever to set foot till it was old enough to be trusted;
nor to taste anything there, asked or unasked. There were some
poisonous things in the shop, and some few nice syrups and gums; and no
child could be safe and well there who could not let alone whatever
might be left on the counter, or refuse any nice taste that a
good-natured shopman might offer. Harry was, as yet, far too young;
but, as often as the cook washed the floor-cloth in the passage, so that
the inner shop-door had to be opened, Master Harry was seized with an
unconquerable desire to go and see the blue and red glass bowls which he
was permitted to admire from the street, as he went out and came in from
his walks. Mr Proctor came down this morning as Hugh was catching
Harry in the passage. He snatched up his boys, packed one under each
arm, and ran with them into the yard, where he rolled Harry up in a new
mat, which the cook was going to lay at the house-door.

"There!" said he. "Keep him fast, Hugh, till the passage-door is shut.
What shall we do with the rogue when you are at Crofton, I wonder?"

"Why, papa! He will be big enough to take care of himself by that
time."

"Bless me! I forgot again," exclaimed Mr Proctor, as he made haste
away into the shop.

Before long, Harry was safe under the attraction of his basin of bread
and milk; and Hugh fell into a reverie at the breakfast-table, keeping
his spoon suspended in his hand as he looked up at the windows, without
seeing anything. Jane asked him twice to hand the butter before he
heard.

"He is thinking how