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 much four times seven is," observed Mr. Proctor: and
Hugh started at the words.

"I tell you what, Hugh," continued his father; "if the Crofton people do
not teach you how much four times seven is when you come within four
weeks of next Christmas day, I shall give you up, and them too, for
dunces all."

All the eyes round the table were fixed on Mr. Proctor in an instant.

"There now!" said he, "I have let the cat out of the bag. Look at
Agnes!" and