5
Tom. For what did he beat you? was it for your madness and foolish tricks?
Teag. Dear shoy, it was not; but for being too inquisitive, and going sharply about business. First, he sent me to the post office to enquire if there were any letters for him; so when I came there, said I, is there any letters here for my master to-day.— Then they asked who was my master; sir, said I, it is very bad manners in you to ask any gentleman's name; at this they laughed, mocking me, and said they could give me none, if I would not tell my master's name; so I returned to my master, and told him the impudence of the fellow, who would give me no letters unless I would tell him your name, master. My master at this flew in a passion, and kicked me down stairs, saying, go you rogue, and tell my name directly, how can the gentleman give letters when he knows not who is asking for them. Then I returned and told my masters name, so they told there was one for him. I looked at it, being very small, and asking the price of it, they told me it was sixpenee: sixpenee, said I, will you take sixpence for that small thing, and selling bigger ones for twopence; faith I am not sueh a big fool; you think to cheat me now, this is not a eonscionable way of dealing, I'll acquaint my master with it first; so I eame and told my master how they would have sixpenee for his letter, and was selling bigger ones for twopence; he took up my head and broke his cane with it, ealling me a thousand fools, saying, the man was more just than to take any thing out the right for it, but I was sure there was none of them right, buying and selling such dear penny-worths. So I came again for my dear sixpence letter; and as the fellow was shuffling through a pareel of them, seeking for it again, to make the best of a dear market, I pickt up two, and home I comes to my master, thinking he would be pleased with what I had done; now, said I, master,
