u will admit me to-night under
the window, I will convince you that it is prejudice and not wisdom,
which makes your master bar his door against us; I will convince you
that the mischief of a _robber_, as your master scurrilously calls
us, is only in the name; that we are your true friends, and only
mean to promote your happiness.

"Don't say _we_," said Parley, "pray come alone; I would not see the
rest of the gang for the world; but I think there can be no great
harm in talking to _you_ through the bars, if you come alone; but I
am determined not to let you in. Yet I can't say but I wish to know
what you can tell me so much to my advantage; indeed, if it is for
my good I ought to know it."

_Flatterwell. (going out, turns back.)_ Dear Mr. Parley, there is
one thing I had forgotten. I can not get over the hedge at night
without assistance. You know there is a secret in the nature of that
hedge; you in the house may get over it, into the wilderness of
your own accord, but we can not get to your side by our own
strength. You must look about to see where the hedge is thinnest,
and then set to work to clear away here and there a little bough for
me, it won't be missed; and if there is but the smallest hole made
on your side, those on ours can get through, otherwise we do but
labor in vain. To this Parley made some objection, through the fear
of being seen. Flatterwell replied, that the smallest hole from
within would be sufficient, for he could then work his own way.
"Well," said Parley, "I will consider of it. To be sure I shall even
then be equally safe in the castle, as I shall have all the bolts,
bars, and locks between us, so it will make but little difference."

"Certainly not," said Flatterwell, who knew it would make all the
difference in the world. So they parted with mutual protestations of
regard. Parley went home charmed with his new friend. His eyes were
now clearly opened as to his master's prejudices against the
_robbers_, and he was convinced there was more in the name than in
the thing. "But," said he, "though Mr. Flatterwell is certainly an
agreeable companion, he may not be so safe an inmate. There can,
however, be no harm in talking at a distance, and I certainly won't
let him in."

Parley, in the course of the day, did not forget his promise to thin
the hedge of separation a little. At first he only tore off a
handful of leaves, then a little sprig, then he broke away a bough
or two. It was obser