thought for my poor wife and
children; but since Mr Barlow has taught me better things, and made me
acquainted with this blessed book, my life and manners, I hope, are much
amended, and I do my duty better to my poor family.

"That indeed you do, Robin," answered the woman; "there is not now a
better and kinder husband in the world; you have not wasted an idle
penny or a moment's time these two years; and, without that unfortunate
fever, which prevented you from working last harvest, we should have the
greatest reason to be contented."

"Have we not the greatest reason now," answered the man, "to be not only
contented, but thankful for all the blessings we enjoy? It is true that
I, and several of the children, were ill this year for many weeks; but
did we not all escape, through the blessing of God, and the care of good
Mr Barlow and this worthy Master Sandford, who brought us victuals so
many days, with his own hands, when we otherwise should perhaps have
starved? Have I not had very good employment ever since; and do I not
now earn six shillings a-week, which is a very comfortable thing, when
many poor wretches as good as I are starving, because they cannot find
employment?"

"Six shillings a-week! six shillings a-week!" answered Tommy in
amazement; "and is that all you and your wife and children have to live
on for a whole week!"

_The Man._--Not all, master; my wife sometimes earns a shilling or
eighteenpence a-week by spinning, and our eldest daughter begins to do
something that way, but not much.

_Tommy._--That makes seven shillings and sixpence a-week. Why, I have
known my mother give more than that to go to a place where outlandish
people sing. I have seen her and other ladies give a man a guinea for
dressing their hair; and I know a little miss, whose father gives
half-a-guinea a time to a little Frenchman, who teaches her to jump and
caper about the room.

"Master," replied the man, smiling, "these are great gentlefolks that
you are talking about; they are very rich, and have a right to do what
they please with their own; it is the duty of us poor folks to labour
hard, take what we can get, and thank the great and wise God that our
condition is no worse."

_Tommy._--What! and is it possible that you can thank God for living in
such a house as this, and earning seven shillings and sixpence a-week?

_The Man._--To be sure I can, master. Is it not an act of His goodness
that we have clothes and a warm