John. I washed it before breakfast, sir, as usual.

Mr. C. You haven’t watered the horses to-day!

John. Go and see, sir, if you can make them drink any more. They have had their fill.

Mr. C. Have you given them their oats?

John. Ask William; he saw me do it.

Mr. C. But you have forgotten to take the mare to be shod. Ah! I have you now!

John. I have the blacksmith’s bill here.

Mr. C. My letters!—Did you take them to the post-office? Ha! You forgot, did you?

John. I forgot nothing, sir. The letters were in the mail ten minutes after you handed them to me.

Mr. C. How often have I told you not to scrape on that abominable violin of yours? And yet this very morning——