University of Virginia Library

III.—PETTINGILL.

Reuben Pettingill was extremely industrious.

He worked hard all the year round on
his father's little farm.

Right he was!

Industry is a very fine thing.

It is one of the finest things of which we
have any knowledge.

Yet no not frown, “do not weep for me,”
when I state that I don't like it.

It doesn't agree with me.

I prefer indolence.

I am happiest when I am idle.

I could live for months without performing
any kind of labour, and at the expiration
of that time I should feel fresh and
vigorous enough to go right on in the same
way for numerous more months.

This should not surprise you.

Nothing that a modern novellist does
should excite astonishment in any wellregulated
mind.