THE ONE-EYED SERVANT.
upon it,' continued the cobbler; 'and a fat baby in in the cradle.'
'O, I'm sure I don't envy her that last,' said Bella, pettishly. 'I've little enough for myself and my husband, letting alone children.'
'Why, mistress, isn't your husband in work?' asked the cobbler.
'No; he's at the ale-house.'
'Why, how's that? he used to be very sober. Can't he get work?'
'His last master wouldn't keep him, because he was so shabby.'
'Humph!' said the little man. 'He's a groom, is he not? Well, as I was saying, your neighbor opposite thrives; but no wonder! Well, I've nothing to do with other people's secrets; but I could tell you, only I'm busy, and must go.'
'Could tell me what?' cried the young wife. 'O good cobbler, don't go, for I've nothing to do. Pray tell me why it's no wonder that she should thrive.'
'Well,' said he, 'it's no business of mine, you know, but, as I said before, it's no wonder people thrive who have a servant—a hard-working one, too—who is always helping them.'
'A servant!' repeated Bella; ' my neighbor has a servant! No wonder, then, everything looks so neat about her; but I never saw this servant. I think you must be mistaken; besides, how could she afford to pay her wages? '
'She has a servant, I say,' repeated the cobbler— a one-eyed servant—but she pays her no wages, to
