u can receive.

_Tommy._--No, sir, quite the contrary. Instead of teaching me to be
civil and obliging, they have made me ruder and worse behaved than ever
I was before.

_Mr Barlow._--If that is the case, I fear these fine young gentlemen and
ladies undertook to teach you more than they understood themselves.

_Tommy._--Indeed, sir, I am of the same opinion myself. But I did not
think so then, and therefore I did whatever I observed them do, and
talked in the same manner as I heard them talk. They used to be always
laughing at Harry Sandford, and I grew so foolish that I did not choose
to keep company with him any longer.

_Mr Barlow._--That was a pity, because I am convinced he really loves
you. However, it is of no great consequence, for he has employment
enough at home; and however ingenious you may be, I do not think that he
will learn how to manage his land, or raise food, from your
conversation. It will therefore be better for him to converse with
farmers, and leave you to the society of gentlemen. Indeed, this I know
has always been his taste; and had not your father pressed him very much
to accompany you home, he would have liked much better to have avoided
the visit. However, I will inform him that you have gained other
friends, and advise him for the future to avoid your company.

_Tommy._--Oh, sir! I did not think you could be so cruel. I love Harry
Sandford better than any other boy in the world; and I shall never be
happy till he forgives me all my bad behaviour, and converses with me
again as he used to do.

_Mr Barlow._--But then, perhaps, you may lose the acquaintance of all
those polite young gentlemen and ladies.

_Tommy._--I care very little about that, sir. But I fear I have behaved
so ill that he never will be able to forgive me, and love me as he did
formerly.

Tommy then went on, and repeated with great exactness the story of his
insolence and ingratitude, which had so great an effect upon him, that
he burst into tears, and cried a considerable time. He then concluded
with asking Mr Barlow if he thought Harry would be ever able to forgive
him?

_Mr Barlow._--I cannot conceal from you, my little friend, that you have
acted very ill indeed in this affair. However, if you are really ashamed
of all your past conduct, and determined to act better, I do not doubt
that so generous and good-natured a boy as Harry is, will forgive you
all.

_Tommy._--Oh, sir! I should be the happiest creature