of simplicity."

"You are correct, doctor," replied Mr Easy, "and her head proves that
she is a modest young woman, with strong religious feeling, kindness of
disposition, and every other requisite."

"The head may prove it all for what I know, Mr Easy, but her conduct
tells another tale."

"She is well fitted for the situation, ma'am," continued the doctor.

"And if you please, ma'am," rejoined Sarah, "it was _such a little
one_."

"Shall I try the baby, ma'am?" said the monthly nurse, who had listened
in silence. "It is fretting so, poor thing, and has its dear little
fist right down its throat."

Dr Middleton gave the signal of assent, and in a few seconds Master
John Easy was fixed to Sarah as tight as a leech.

"Lord love it, how hungry it is--there, there, stop it a moment, it's
choking, poor thing!"

Mrs Easy, who was lying on her bed, rose up, and went to the child.
Her first feeling was that of envy, that another should have such a
pleasure which was denied to herself, the next that of delight, at the
satisfaction expressed by the infant. In a few minutes the child fell
back in a deep sleep. Mrs Easy was satisfied; maternal feelings
conquered all others, and Sarah was duly installed.

To make short work of it, we have said that Jack Easy in six months was
in shorts. He soon afterwards began to crawl and show his legs; indeed,
so indecorously, that it was evident that he had imbibed no modesty with
Sarah's milk, neither did he appear to have gained veneration or
benevolence, for he snatched at everything, squeezed the kitten to
death, scratched his mother, and pulled his father by the hair;
notwithstanding all which, both his father and mother and the whole
household declared him to be the finest and sweetest child in the
universe. But if we were to narrate all the wonderful events of Jack's
childhood from the time of his birth up to the age of seven years, as
chronicled by Sarah, who continued his dry nurse after he had been
weaned, it would take at least three volumes folio. Jack was brought up
in the way that every only child usually is--that is, he was allowed to
have his own way.

CHAPTER FOUR.

IN WHICH THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBES GOING TO SCHOOL AS A REMEDY FOR A CUT
FINGER.

"Have you no idea of putting the boy to school, Mr Easy?" said Dr
Middleton, who had been summoned by a groom with his horse in a foam to
attend immediately at Forest Hill, the name of Mr Easy's mansion, and
who,