"Mr. Todd," he said, "you want a lad."
"Yes."
"You don't know me, but I am Cork, the greengrocer in the market."
"Oh," said Todd.
"You see this is Fred, by the first Mrs. C., and the second Mrs. C. thinks he'd better go out to something now; if you will take him 'prentice we will provide him, and he can run into our place for his meals and tell us all the gossip of the shop, which will amuse Mrs. C., as she's in a delicate condition, and I have no doubt you will find him just the lad for you."
"Dear! dear!" said Todd.
"What's the matter, Mr. T.?"
"I'm so aggravated.—Is he pious?"
"Decidedly."
"Does he know his catechism and his belief?"