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Page:The Vicar of Wakefield (Volume 2) - Goldsmith (1766, 1st edition).djvu/105

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The Vicar of Wakefield.
103

"And I," says Bill, who was yet but four years old, "love every place best that my papa is in."

After this, I allotted to each of the fa­mily what they were to do. My daughter was particularly directed to watch her de­clining sister's health; my wife was to at­tend me; my little boys were to read to me: "And as for you, my son," continu­ed I, "it is by the labour of your hands we must all hope to be supported. Your wages, as a day-labourer, will be full sufficient, with proper frugality, to main­tain us all, and comfortably too. Thou art now sixteen years old, and hast strength, and it was given thee, my son, for very useful purposes; for it must save from famine your helpless parents and fa­mily. Prepare then this evening to look out for work against to-morrow, and bring home every night what money you earn, for our support."

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