The Vicar of Wakefield Read Online Free PDF

with the best of them; and concluded, she protested she could
see no reason why the two Miss Wrinklers should marry great
fortunes, and her children get none. As this last argument was
directed to me, I protested I could see no reason for it neither,
nor why Mr Simpkins got the ten thousand pound prize in the
lottery, and we sate down with a blank. 'I protest, Charles,' cried
my wife, 'this is the way you always damp my girls and me when we
are in Spirits. Tell me, Sophy, my dear, what do you think of our
new visitor? Don't you think he seemed to be
good-natured?'—'Immensely so, indeed, Mamma,' replied she. 'I think
he has a great deal to say upon every thing, and is never at a
loss; and the more trifling the subject, the more he has to
say.'—'Yes,' cried Olivia, 'he is well enough for a man; but for my
part, I don't much like him, he is so extremely impudent and
familiar; but on the guitar he is shocking.' These two last
speeches I interpreted by contraries. I found by this, that Sophia
internally despised, as much as Olivia secretly admired
him.—'Whatever may be your opinions of him, my children,' cried I,
'to confess a truth, he has not prepossest me in his favour.
Disproportioned friendships ever terminate in disgust; and I
thought, notwithstanding all his ease, that he seemed perfectly
sensible of the distance between us. Let us keep to companions of
our own rank. There is no character more contemptible than a man
that is a fortune-hunter, and I can see no reason why
fortune-hunting women should not be contemptible too. Thus, at
best, we shall be contemptible if his views be honourable; but if
they be otherwise! I should shudder but to think of that! It is
true I have no apprehensions from the conduct of my children, but I
think there are some from his character.'—I would have proceeded,
but for the interruption of a servant from the 'Squire, who, with
his compliments, sent us a side of venison, and a promise to dine
with us some days after. This well-timed present pleaded more
powerfully in his favour, than any thing I had to say could
obviate. I therefore continued silent, satisfied with just having
pointed out danger, and leaving it to their own discretion to avoid
it. That virtue which requires to be ever guarded, is scarce worth
the centinel.

CHAPTER 6
The happiness of a country fire-side
    As we carried on the former dispute with some degree of warmth,
in order to accommodate matters, it was universally agreed, that we
should have a part of the venison for supper, and the girls
undertook the task with alacrity. 'I am sorry,' cried I, 'that we
have no neighbour or stranger to take a part in this good cheer:
feasts of this kind acquire a double relish from
hospitality.'—'Bless me,' cried my wife, 'here comes our good
friend Mr Burchell, that saved our Sophia, and that run you down
fairly in the argument'—'Confute me in argument, child!' cried I.
'You mistake there, my dear. I believe there are but few that can
do that: I never dispute your abilities at making a goose-pye, and
I beg you'll leave argument to me.'—As I spoke, poor Mr Burchell
entered the house, and was welcomed by the family, who shook him
heartily by the hand, while little Dick officiously reached him a
chair.
    I was pleased with the poor man's friendship for two reasons;
because I knew that he wanted mine, and I knew him to be friendly
as far as he was able. He was known in our neighbourhood by the
character of the poor Gentleman that would do no good when he was
young, though he was not yet thirty. He would at intervals talk
with great good sense; but in general he was fondest of the company
of children, whom he used to call harmless little men. He was
famous, I found, for singing them ballads, and telling them
stories; and seldom went out without something in his pockets for
them, a piece of gingerbread, or an halfpenny whistle. He generally
came for a few days into our neighbourhood once a year, and lived
upon the neighbours