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Think not of me, dear mother; I can go through it all with a good heart.—But what will become of you till I am old enough to work for you?—Fie on't! I am old enough now: I am sound of life and limb, and I have spirit enough to face anything.

Alas, alas for thee!

Fear not, fear not. I am a proud boy, it is true; but I will not be ashamed before any one when I am working for my mother.

My blessed child! and must this be thy portion?

Yes, Madam, and an honourable one too. Cheer up, cheer up, my dear mother. I shall go to my father presently, and meet him with such a cheerful countenance, that he shall only wait for a discharge from his creditors, which they cannot refuse when he has given up all that he has,—to be a far happier man than he was before.

Oh! oh! thou little thinkest what thou hast before thee!