After some necessary preparations had been made, a day was appointed when I should leave my rural haunts, and take up my abode as an operative in the workshop of Mr. Aird. This was to enter life; an event, the first which makes youth thoughtful, and is equally important to young men, as marriage to the gentler sex; I felt it to be of great importance to me.

The few remaining lessons which I received from Mr. Rhomboid went in at the one ear, and out at the other. They were like the flight of migratory birds, and left no trace behind. All around the village became more and more interesting, but there was an apathy, as I thought, in the aspect of every scene which made me feel as if sullenness had touched Nature, and she was ungrateful for the adoration with which, in my simplicity, I had worshipped at her shrines. The stars too, that had ever been my darling study, lost much of their influence, and my whole imagination was filled with shuttles and looms.

It could not, however, be justly said, although the workshop did supply my mind with the furniture of many images, that they were selected with much solicitude; quite the reverse. I had submitted to the proposition of Mr. Macindoe as I learned the lessons of the school at the request of Mr. Rhomboid, merely from a habit of acquiescence, a little elevated by a vague conception that I might find a use for them hereafter.