I pray thee let them not offend thee.' 'He does not,' said I, 'appear to possess in much abundance the means of exercising hospitality, and so may be excused from offering it in ordinary cases.' 'That is to say, friend,' replied Joshua, 'thou hast supped ill, and perhaps breakfasted worse.

Now my small tenement, called Mount Sharon, is nearer to us by two miles than thine inn; and although going thither may prolong thy walk, as taking thee of the straighter road to Shepherd's Bush, yet methinks exercise will suit thy youthful limbs, as well as a good plain meal thy youthful appetite.

What sayst thou, my young acquaintance ?' 'If it puts you not to inconvenience,' I replied; for the invitation was cordially given, and my bread and milk had been hastily swallowed, and in small quantity.
'Nay,' said Joshua, 'use not the language of compliment with those who renounce it.

Had this poor courtesy been very inconvenient, perhaps I had not offered it.' 'I accept the invitation, then,' said I, 'in the same good spirit in which you give it.' The Quaker smiled, reached me his hand, I shook it, and we travelled on in great cordiality with each other.

The fact is, I was much entertained by contrasting in my own mind, the open manner of the kind-hearted Joshua Geddes, with the abrupt, dark, and lofty demeanour of my entertainer on the preceding evening.