, which in breeches and metaphysics--in
inexpressibles and incomprehensibles--may instruct all Europe), but too
fond of his pleasure. Some promissory notes of his had found their way
into Hayes's hands, and had given him the means not only of providing
Master Billings with a cheap apprenticeship, and a cheap partnership
afterwards; but would empower him, in one or two years after the young
partner had joined the firm, to eject the old one altogether. So that
there was every prospect that, when Mr. Billings was twenty-one years
of age, poor Beinkleider would have to act, not as his master, but his
journeyman.

Tom was a very precocious youth; was supplied by a doting mother with
plenty of pocket-money, and spent it with a number of lively companions
of both sexes, at plays, bull-baitings, fairs, jolly parties on the
river, and such-like innocent amusements. He could throw a main, too, as
well as his elders; had pinked his man, in a row at Madam King's in the
Piazza; and was much respected at the Roundhouse.

Mr. Hayes was not very fond of this promising young gentleman; indeed,
he had the baseness to bear malice, because, in a quarrel which occurred
about two years previously, he, Hayes, being desirous to chastise Mr.
Billings, had found himself not only quite incompetent, but actually at
the mercy of the boy; who struck him over the head with a joint-stool,
felled him to the ground, and swore he would have his life. The Doctor,
who was then also a lodger at Mr. Hayes's, interposed, and restored
the combatants, not to friendship, but to peace. Hayes never afterwards
attempted to lift his hand to the young man, but contented himself
with hating him profoundly. In this sentiment Mr. Billings participated
cordially; and, quite unlike Mr. Hayes, who never dared to show his
dislike, used on every occasion when they met, by actions, looks, words,
sneers, and curses, to let his stepfather know the opinion which he had
of him. Why did not Hayes discard the boy altogether? Because, if he
did so, he was really afraid of his life, and because he trembled
before Mrs. Hayes, his lady, as the leaf trembles before the tempest in
October. His breath was not his own, but hers; his money, too, had been
chiefly of her getting,--for though he was as stingy and mean as mortal
man can be, and so likely to save much, he had not the genius for
GETTING which Mrs. Hayes possessed. She kept his books (for she had
learned to read and write by this