Page:Entertaining history of Sandford and Merton.pdf/8

 a good workman, and purſued his labour with pleaſure. Their work being finiſhed for that day, they all withdrew to the ſummer-houſe, and the joy of Tommy was inexpreſſible, when he found he was to have his ſhare of the fruit.

From this time, Mr. Barlow and his two pupils worked every morning in the garden, and retired after their labour to the ſummer-houſe, where they refreſhed themſelves before dinner. By degrees, Tommy began to lament that he could not read, and at laſt ſpoke privately to Harry on the occaſion, who very generouſly propoſed to learn him. One day, being all three aſſembled in the ſummerhouſe, and the book being given to Harry Tommy ſaid, that, if Mr. Barlow would give him permiſſion, he would try to read. Mr. Barlow replied, that he ſhould have objection, but he ſhould as ſoon expect to ſee him fly as to read. He then took up the book, and with great fluency read the ſtory of the Imprudent and Neglected Fair.

Having finiſhed, "I clearly ſee, ſaid Mr. Barlow, that if young gentlemen