Mr. Ev. But I suppose you could easily turn the wheel, and draw out threads like that good woman?
Ch. Not without some practice, I fancy. But what is that boy doing?
Jac. He is cutting pegs for the shoemakers, master.
Ch. How quick he does them!
Jac. It is but poor employment, but better than being idle. The first lesson I teach my children is, that their hands were made to get their bread with.
Mr. Ev. And a very good lesson, too.
Ch. What is this heap of twigs for?
Jac. Why, master, my biggest boy and girl have learned a little how to make basket-work, so I have got them a few osiers to employ them at leisure hours. That bird-cage is their making: and the back of that chair in which their grandmother sits.
Ch. Is not that cleverly done, papa?
Mr. Ev. It is, indeed. Here are several arts, you see, in this house, which both you and I should be much puzzled to set about. But there are some books, too, I perceive.