Mend. We have come to the place we want. Let us sit down on these stones.
Manr. Yes, as long as we are out of the sun.
Mend. Quick! a half-sheet of paper, which I will return to you to-morrow.
Manr. Will this small bit be sufficient?
Mend. Alas! it won’t take six lines, especially of such writing as mine.
Manr. Write on both sides and make the lines more crowded together. What need have you to leave such big spaces between the lines?
Mend. I? I make scarcely any space. For these letters of mine touch one another both above and beneath, especially those which have long heads or feet, such as b and p. But what are you doing? Have you already ploughed out two lines? and how elegant they are! except that they are crooked.
Manr. You write, yourself, and be quiet!
Mend. Certainly with this pen and ink I can by no means write.