LETTER X.
William to his Mother.
Lady Grandison is better, and Edward almost recovered: and he is grown much wiser. I mentioned in my last letter, a young boy who had jumped into the water to save Edward: now this was the same boy whom we assisted, when Edward laughed at us. I thought of the fable of the Lion and the Mouse for certainly he would have been drowned if this courageous boy had not been there. But I must tell you part of a conversation which we had concerning this matter, when we sat in the sick chamber.
EDWARD.
You are very kind, Charles and William, to come to sit with me; this fine evening you could have had more pleasure below than with me.
CHARLES.
It would be mean to seek pleasure only for ourselves. If I was sick, you would, I am sure, come to visit me.
WILLIAM.
It is sufficient for us, to see you so well, it might have had a worse issue.
EDWARD.
That is very true. If I had continued a moment longer in the water, I had been gone; and without that boy who sells vinegar, I should not have been able to have made you hear.