hing by an exchange with you."

"Why do you think so?"

"You have enough to live upon, and are not compelled to work early and
late, as I am."

"I am not so very sure that you would be the gainer. One thing is
certain, I never sing at my work."

"Your work? What work have you to do?"

"Oh, I'm always busy."

"Doing what?"

"Nothing; and I believe it is much harder work than making hats."

"I would be very willing to try my hand at that kind of work, if I
could afford it. There would be no danger of my getting tired or
complaining that I had too much to do."

"You may think so; but a few weeks' experience would be enough to drive
you back to your shop, glad to find something for your hands to do and
your mind to rest upon."

"If you have such a high opinion of labour, Mr. Steele, why don't you
go to work?"

"I have no motive for doing so."

"Is not the desire for happiness a motive of sufficient power? You
think working will make any one happy."

"I am not so sure that it will make any one happy, but I believe that
all who are engaged in regular employments are much more contented than
are those who have nothing to do. But no one can be regularly employed
who has not some motive for exertion. A mere desire for happiness is
not the right motive; for, notwithstanding a man, when reasoning on the
subject, may be able to see that, unless he is employed in doing
something useful to his fellows, he cannot be even contented, yet when
he follows out the impulses of his nature, if not compelled to work, he
will seek for relief from the uneasiness he feels in almost any thing
else: especially is he inclined to run into excitements, instead of
turning to the quiet and more satisfying pursuits of ordinary life."

"If I believed as you do, I would go into business at once," said the
hatter. "You have the means, and might conduct any business you chose
to commence, with ease and comfort."

"I have often thought of doing so; but I have lived an idle life so
long that I am afraid I should soon get tired of business."

"No doubt you would, and if you will take my advice, you will let well
enough alone. Enjoy your good fortune and be thankful for it. As for
me, I hope to see the day when I can retire from business and live easy
the remainder of my life."

This was, in fact, the hatter's highest wish, and he was working
industriously with that end in view. He had already saved enough money
to buy a couple of very goo