e boys stared,
but their mother told them to do as they were bid, so they left off
eating, and followed the gentleman. Alfred and his papa walked on till
they arrived once more under the cedar tree in the garden, and there was
the fine feast, all standing just as they had left it, for Alfred's
cousins were gone away, and his mamma would not have the dinner taken
away, because she hoped that Alfred would come back to it. 'Now, boys,'
said the gentleman, 'you may all sit down to this table, and eat
whatever you like.'

John, William, and Thomas sat down as quickly as they could, and began
to devour the chickens and tarts, and all the good things at a great
rate; and Alfred, who now began to be very hungry, would gladly have
been one of the party; but when he was going to sit down, his papa said,
'No, sir, this feast is not for _you_; there is nothing here that you
like to eat, you know; so you will wait upon these boys, if you please,
who seem as if they would find plenty that they will like.' Alfred at
this began to cry again, and said he wanted to go to his mamma; but his
father did not mind his crying, and said he should not go to his mamma
again till he was quite a good boy. 'So now, sir, hand this bread to
John, and now take a clean plate to Thomas, and now stand ready to carry
this custard to William. There now, wait till they have all done.' It
was of no use now to cry or scream; he was obliged to do it all. When
the boys had quite finished their supper, they went home, and Alfred was
led by his father into the house. Before he went to bed, a cup of milk
and water and a piece of brown bread were put before him, and his
father said, 'That is your supper, Alfred.' Alfred began to cry again,
and said he did not want such a supper as that. 'Very well,' said his
father, 'then go to bed without, and it shall be saved for your
breakfast.' Alfred cried and screamed louder than ever; so his father
ordered the maid to put him to bed. When he was in bed, he thought his
mamma would come and see him, and bring him something nice, and he lay
awake a long while; but she did not come, and he cried and cried till at
last he fell asleep.

In the morning when he awoke he was so hungry he could hardly wait to be
dressed, but asked for his breakfast every minute. When he saw the maid
bring in the brown bread again without any butter, and some milk and
water, he was very near crying again; but he thought if he did he should
perhaps lo