I had no moment of time that I could call my own, and I had to read and write amidst the talking, laughing, singing, whistling, and bawling of at least half a score of the most thoughtless of men, and that, too, in the hours of their freedom from all control.

Think not lightly of the _farthing_ I had to give, now and then, for pen, ink, or paper.

That farthing was, alas! a great sum to me.

I was as tall as I am now, and I had great health and great exercise.

The whole of the money not expended for us at market was _twopence a week_ for each man.