read the
newspaper; and as one is generally most tired on the days one does
nothing, I go to bed earlier on Sundays than on other days, that I
may be more fit to get up to my business the next morning.

_Worthy._ So you shorten Sunday as much as you can, by cutting off a
bit at both ends, I suppose; for I take it for granted you lie a
little later in the morning.

_Bragwell._ Come, come, we sha'n't get through the whole ten
to-night, if you stand snubbing one at this rate. You may pass over
the fifth; for my father and mother have been dead ever since I was
a boy, so I am clear of that scrape.

_Worthy._ There are, however, many relative duties included in that
commandment; unkindness to all kindred is forbidden.

_Bragwell._ O, if you mean my turning off my nephew Tom, the
plowboy, you must not blame me for that, it was all my wife's fault.
He was as good a lad as ever lived to be sure, and my own brother's
son; but my wife could not bear that a boy in a carter's frock
should be about the house, calling her aunt. We quarreled like dog
and cat about it; and when he was turned away she and I did not
speak for a week.

_Worthy._ Which was a fresh breach of the commandment; a worthy
nephew turned out of doors, and a wife not spoken to for a week, are
no very convincing proofs of your observance of the fifth
commandment.

_Bragwell._ Well, I long to come to the sixth, for you don't think I
commit murder, I hope.

_Worthy._ I am not sure of that.

_Bragwell._ Murder! what, I kill any body?

_Worthy._ Why, the laws of the land, indeed, and the disgrace
attending it, are almost enough to keep any man from actual murder;
let me ask, however, do you never give way to unjust anger, and
passion, and revenge? as for instance, do you never feel your
resentment kindle against some of the politicians who contradict you
on a Sunday night? and do you never push your animosity against
somebody that has affronted you, further than the occasion can
justify?

_Bragwell._ Hark'ee, Mr. Worthy, I am a man of substance, and no man
shall offend me without my being even with him. So as to injuring a
man, if he affronts me first, there's nothing but good reason in
that.

_Worthy._ Very well! only bear in mind, that you willfully break
this commandment, whether you abuse your servant, are angry at your
wife, watch for a moment to revenge an injury on your neighbor, or
even wreak your passion on a harmless beast; for you have then