so, what do you say? Suppose you stay with me, and we'll travel
together for a few days, and when I have found work that will suit you,
then we can part?"

"I will if you wish it," replied Joey.

"Then that's agreed," said the tinker; "I should like to do you a good
turn before we part, and I hope I shall be able; at all events, if you
stay with me a little while, I will teach you a trade which will serve
you when all others fail."

"What, to mend kettles and to grind knives?"

"Exactly; and, depend upon it, if you would be sure of gaining your
livelihood, you will choose a profession which will not depend upon the
caprice of others, or upon patronage. Kettles, my boy, will wear out,
knives will get blunt, and, therefore, for a good trade, give me
`kettles to mend, knives to grind.' I've tried many trades, and there
is none that suits me so well. And now that we've had our breakfast, we
may just as well look out for lodgings for the night, for I suppose you
would not like the heavens for your canopy, which I very often prefer.
Now, put yourself to the wheel, and I'll try my old quarters."

The knife-grinder walked into the village, followed by Joey, who rolled
the wheel, until they stopped at a cottage, where he was immediately
recognised and welcomed. Joey was ordered to put the wheel under a
shed, and then followed the tinker into the cottage. The latter told
his story, which created a good deal of surprise and indignation, and
then complained of his head and retired to lie down, while Joey amused
himself with the children. They ate and slept there that night, the
people refusing to take anything for their reception. The next day the
tinker was quite recovered, and having mended a kettle and ground three
or four knives for his hostess, he set off again, followed by Joey, who
rolled the wheel.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

ON THE SCIENCE OF TINKERING AND THE ART OF WRITING DESPATCHES.

They had proceeded about two miles when the tinker said--"Come, my lad,
let us sit down now, and rest ourselves a bit, for it is past noon, and
you must be tired with shoving that wheel along. I would have taken it
from you before this, but the fact is, I'm rather stiff yet about the
head and shoulders; I feel it more than I thought I should. Here's a
nice spot; I like to sit down under a tree, not too well covered with
leaves, like this ash; I like to see the sunshine playing here and there
upon the green grass, shiftin