s Easy.

"And Jack Cade, Mrs Easy, the great rebel--and three-fingered Jack,
Mrs Easy, the celebrated negro--and, above all, Jack Falstaff, ma'am,
Jack Falstaff--honest Jack Falstaff--witty Jack Falstaff--"

"I thought, Mr Easy, that I was to be permitted to choose the name."

"Well, so you shall, my dear; I give it up to you. Do just as you
please; but depend upon it that John is the right name. Is it not now,
my dear?"

"It's the way you always treat me, Mr Easy; you say that you give it
up, and that I shall have my own way, but I never do have it. I am sure
that the child will be christened John."

"Nay, my dear, it shall be just what you please. Now I recollect it,
there were several Greek emperors who were Johns; but decide for
yourself, my dear."

"No, no," replied Mrs Easy, who was ill, and unable to contend any
longer, "I give it up, Mr Easy. I know how it will be, as it always
is: you give me my own way as people give pieces of gold to children,
it's their own money, but they must not spend it. Pray call him John."

"There, my dear, did not I tell you, you would be of my opinion upon
reflection? I knew you would. I have given you your own way, and you
tell me to call him John; so now we're both of the same mind, and that
point is settled."

"I should like to go to sleep, Mr Easy; I feel far from well."

"You shall always do just as you like, my dear," replied the husband,
"and have your own way in everything. It is the greatest pleasure I
have when I yield to your wishes. I will walk in the garden. Good-bye,
my dear."

Mrs Easy made no reply, and the philosopher quitted the room. As may
easily be imagined, on the following day the boy was christened John.

CHAPTER THREE.

IN WHICH OUR HERO HAS TO WAIT THE ISSUE OF AN ARGUMENT.

The reader may observe that, in general, all my first chapters are very
short, and increase in length as the work advances. I mention this as a
proof of my modesty and diffidence. At first, I am like a young bird
just out of its mother's nest, pluming my little feathers and taking
short flights. By degrees I obtain more confidence, and wing my course
over hill and dale.

It is very difficult to throw any interest into a chapter on childhood.
There is the same uniformity in all children until they develop. We
cannot, therefore, say much relative to Jack Easy's earliest days; he
sucked and threw up his milk, while the nurse blessed it for a pretty
dear