etmeats, and what we
liked better than all the rest, a paper of nice macaroons. On these we
feasted most deliciously till our hunger was fully satisfied, and then
creeping into a little hole, just big enough to contain us both, behind
one of the jars of sweetmeats, reposed ourselves with a nap, after our
various and great fatigues which we had gone through. I never was
a remarkably sound sleeper, the least noise disturbs me, and I was
awakened in the morning by the servant-maid's coming into the room to
sweep it, and get it ready for the reception of her mistress and family,
who soon after entered. As I wanted to know from whom the voices I heard
proceeded, I stepped softly from behind the jar and just peeped under
the door into the room, where I discovered a gentleman, two ladies, and
a little boy and girl.

As I was totally unacquainted with all places of retreat, and did not
know how soon any of them might have occasion to open the closet door, I
instantly returned to my brother; and, awaking him, told him it was time
for us to be upon our guard, as the family were all up and about.

Whilst we were thus situated, the first words I heard distinctly were
those of the gentleman, saying, 'No, Frank, I can never have a good
opinion of him; the boy who could once deceive may, for aught I know,
do so again; he has, by breaking his word, forfeited the only dependence
one could possibly have in him. A person who has once lost his honour
has no means left of gaining credit to his assertions. By honour, Frank,
I would be understood to speak of veracity, of virtue, of scorning
to commit a mean action, and not that brutish sense in which some
understand it, as if it consisted in a readiness to fight and resent an
injury; for so far am I from considering such behaviour as any proof of
honour, that, on the contrary, I look upon it as a sure sign of want of
proper spirit and true honour. Fools, bullies, and even cowards, will
fight; whereas none but men of sense and resolution and true magnanimity
know how to pardon and despise an insult.' 'But, indeed, sir,' replied
the boy, 'at school, if one did not fight, they would laugh at one so,
there would be no such thing as bearing it.' 'And for that very reason
it is, my dear, that I say, to pass by and pardon an insult requires
more resolution and courage than mere fighting does. When I wish you
to avoid quarrelling and fighting, I by no means want you to become a
coward, for I as much