seemed quite a trouble to me to move. Yesterday, when you first showed me
that great chest of books, and bade me dust them, I had nearly burst into
tears; but now, Sir, I feel as brisk as ever, and am sure I would do any
thing in the world to please you." "I am very glad to hear it, John; only
I think if you take another walk with us, we must bargain to have no
spurs." "No, no," said John, laughing, "you may be sure of that; I had
enough of them yesterday."

They found Mr. Laurie at home; who very readily agreed to the proposal of
John's learning to read at the Manse, and promised that he should attend
regularly. He said, he must come into his service on the next Tuesday
morning, and, as he required him to set off by four o'clock for the hill,
he thought it would be best for John to sleep at the farm on Monday
evening. He promised to send his own shepherd along with him, for the
first day or two, to show him the method of managing the sheep; and also
to train the dogs to obey him readily. John was greatly pleased with this
promise, and returned to the Manse, in high spirits. Helen had finished
her lessons and was walking out with her mother; but it being Saturday,
Mr. Martin, as was his constant custom on that day, shut himself up in his
study, to prepare for the duty of the Sabbath. John, therefore, amused
himself as well as he could, by running down to the holm, and fishing with
an old fishing-rod, he found in the stable; and though he was not very
successful, he yet found sport enough to be pleased.

At dinner, Helen complained of a bad headache, and was obliged to go and
lie down. Mrs. Martin was rather uneasy, as she had observed Helen's eyes
to be heavy, and feared it might arise from fever. Helen, however, was
much better after a short sleep, and got up to tea. As they were sitting
round the table, John put his head in the door, and said, Archie Kerr was
come down the dale, with the curiosities which he had found. Mr. Martin