gentleman taking hold of his hand, said, 'You do not stir from
this place, Master William, nor have one mouthful of breakfast,
till you have asked the men pardon for your behaviour, and
likewise sifted every grain of corn from the chaff which you have
mixed with it. When you have done that, you may have some food,
but not before; and afterward you may spend the rest of the day in
threshing, then you will be a better judge, my boy, of the fatigue
and labour of it, and find how you should like, after working hard
all day, to have it rendered useless by a mischievous boy.
Remember, William, what I have now said to you, for I do insist
upon being minded; and I promise you, that if you offer to play,
or do anything else today, you shall be punished very severely.'
The gentleman then went away. Will muttered something, I could
not exactly hear what, began to sift the corn, and so much had he
mixed together, that he did not go in for his breakfast till after
I had heard the church clock strike one, though it was before
eight when he came into the barn. In about an hour he returned,
and the other boy with him, who addressed him, saying, 'Ah! Will,
you had better have taken my advice, and not have done so: I
thought what you would get by your nice fun as you called it. I
never knew any good come of mischief; it generally brings those
who do it into disgrace; or if they should happen to escape
unpunished, still it is always attended with some inconvenience:
it is an ill-natured disposition which can take pleasure in giving
trouble to any one.' 'Do hold your tongue, James,' replied Will;
'I declare I have not patience to hear you preach, you are so
prodigiously wise, and prudent, and sober; you had better go
indoors and sew with your mamma, for you talk just as if you were
a girl, and not in the least like a boy of spirit.' 'Like a
girl!' resumed James. 'Are girls then the only folk who have any