He had his reasons for the step he took;
Did they suppose he stay’d to read his book?” 140
Hopeless, the Doctor said, “This boy is one
With whom I fear there’s nothing to be done.”
His wife replied, who more had guess’d or knew,
“You only mean there’s nothing he can do;
Ev’n there you err, unless you mean indeed
That the poor lad can neither think nor read.”—
“What credit can I by such dunce obtain?”—
“Credit? I know not—you may something gain;