ent and wrote it on a piece of paper at
first, and came and read it me out loud off a piece of paper no
better than what one writes letters upon. I were up to him; and,
thinks I, Come, come, my lad, I'm not a fool, though you may think
so; I know a paper will won't stand, but I'll let you run your rig.
So I sits and I listens. And would you belie' me, he read it out as
if it were as clear a business as your giving me that thimble--no
more ado, though it were thirty pound! I could understand it
mysel'--that were no law for me. I wanted summat to consider about,
and for th' meaning to be wrapped up as I wrap up my best gown. So
says I, 'Tom! it's not on parchment. I mun have it on parchment.'
'This 'ill do as well,' says he. 'We'll get it witnessed, and it will
stand good.' Well! I liked the notion of having it witnessed, and for
a while that soothed me; but after a bit, I felt I should like it
done according to law, and not plain out as anybody might ha' done
it; I mysel', if I could have written. So says I, 'Tom! I mun have it
on parchment.' 'Parchment costs money,' says he, very grave. 'Oh, oh,
my lad! are ye there?' thinks I. 'That's the reason I'm clipped of
law.' So says I, 'Tom! I mun have it on parchment. I'll pay the money
and welcome. It's thirty pound, and what I can lay to it. I'll make
it safe. It shall be on parchment, and I'll tell thee what, lad!
I'll gie ye sixpence for every good law-word you put in it, sounding
like, and not to be caught up as a person runs. Your master had need
to be ashamed of you as a 'prentice if you can't do a thing more
tradesman-like than this!' Well! he laughed above a bit, but I were
firm, and stood to it. So he made it out on parchment. Now, woman,
try and read it!" said she, giving it to Ruth.

Ruth smiled, and began to read; Sally listening with rapt attention.
When Ruth came to the word "testatrix," Sally stopped her.

"That was the first sixpence," said she. "I thowt he was going to fob
me off again wi' plain language; but when that word came, I out wi'
my sixpence, and gave it to him on the spot. Now go on."

Presently Ruth read, "accruing."

"That was the second sixpence. Four sixpences it were in all, besides
six-and-eightpence as we bargained at first, and three-and-fourpence
parchment. There! that's what I call a will; witnessed according to
law, and all. Master Thurstan will be prettily taken in when I die,
and he finds all his extra wage left back to him. But it