and anything to anybody. Why do you talk such nonsense to me? Let me tell
you that he has already been to ask me what I think of it. He feels some
doubt, poor man. Indeed, he is disposed to consider. Bother! what does it
matter what he considers?"

"If he has changed his mind I have not. Joseph hath ever a coat of many
colours."

"I shall tell him," she cried, laughing. The Quaker rule of repression and
non-resistance by no means forbade the use of the brutal bludgeon of
sarcasm, as many a debate in Meeting could testify. She rose as she spoke,
and my mother said gently:

"Thou wilt not tell him, Gainor."

Meanwhile I stood amazed at a talk which so deeply concerned me.

"Shall it be a smithy?" said my father.

"Oh, what you like. The Wynnes are well down in the world--trade,
horseshoeing. Good evening."

"Gainor! Gainor!" cried my mother; but she was gone in wrath, and out of
the house.

"Thou wilt leave the academy. I have already arranged with Lowry, in South
street, to take thee. Three months should answer."

To this I said, "Yes, yes," and went away but little pleased, my mother
saying, "It is only for a time, my son."