ers?

_Bragwell._ Why I do think they are grown full of schemes, and
contrivances and whispers, that's the truth on't. Every think is a
secret. They always seem to be on the look-out for something, and
when nothing comes on't, then they are sulky and disappointed. They
will keep company with their equals; they despise trade and farming;
and I own _I'm for the stuff_. I should not like them to marry any
but a man of substance, if he was ever so smart. Now they will
hardly sit down with a substantial country dealer. But if they hear
of a recruiting party in our market-town, on goes the finery--off
they are. Some flimsy excuse is patched up. They want something at
the book-shop or the milliner's; because, I suppose, there is a
chance that some Jack-a-napes of an ensign may be there buying
sticking plaster. In short, I do grow a little uneasy; for I should
not like to see all I have saved thrown away on a knapsack.

So saying, they both rose and walked out to view the farm. Mr.
Bragwell affected greatly to admire the good order of every thing he
saw; but never forgot to compare it with something larger, and
handsomer, or better of his own. It was easy to see that _self_ was
his standard of perfection in every thing. All he himself possessed
gained some increased value in his eyes from being his; and in
surveying the property of his friend, he derived food for his
vanity, from things which seemed least likely to raise it. Every
appearance of comfort, of success, of merit, in any thing which
belonged to Mr. Worthy led him to speak of some superior advantage
of his own of the same kind; and it was clear that the chief part of
the satisfaction he felt in walking over the farm of his friend, was
caused by thinking how much larger his own was.

Mr. Worthy, who felt a kindness for him, which all his vanity could
not cure, was always on the watch how to turn their talk on some
useful point. And whenever people resolve to go into company with
this view, it is commonly their own fault, if some opportunity of
turning it to account does not offer.

He saw Bragwell was intoxicated with pride, and undone by success;
and that his family was in the high road to ruin through mere
prosperity. He thought that if some means could be found to open his
eyes on his own character, to which he was now totally blind, it
might be of the utmost service to him. The more Mr. Worthy
reflected, the more he wished to undertake the kind office. He was