Very near to Mr. Merton’s seat lived a plain, honest farmer named Sandford, whose only son, Harry, was not much older than Master Merton, but who, as he had always been accustomed to run about in the fields, to follow the labourers when they were ploughing, and to drive the sheep to their pasture, was active, strong, hardy, and fresh-coloured.  Harry had an honest, good-natured countenance, was never out of humour, and took the greatest pleasure in obliging others, in helping those less fortunate than himself, and in being kind to every living thing.  Harry was a great favourite, particularly with Mr. Barlow, the clergyman of the parish, who taught him to read and write, and had him almost always with him.

One summer morning, while Master Merton and a maid were walking in the fields, a large snake suddenly started up and curled itself round Tommy’s leg.  The maid ran away, shrieking for help, whilst the child, in his terror, dared not move.  Harry, who happened to be near, ran up, and seizing the snake by the neck, tore it from Tommy’s leg, and threw it to a great distance.  Mrs. Merton wished to adopt the boy who had so bravely saved her son, and Harry’s intelligence so appealed to Mr. Merton that he thought it would be an excellent thing if Tommy could also benefit by Mr. Barlow’s instruction.  With this view he decided to propose to the farmer to pay for the board and education of Harry that he might be a constant companion to Tommy.  Mr. Barlow, on being consulted, agreed to take Tommy for some months under his care; but refused any monetary recompense.

The day after Tommy went to Mr. Barlow’s the clergyman took his two pupils into the garden, and, taking a spade in his own hand, and giving Harry a hoe, they both began to work.  “Everybody that eats,” he said, “ought to assist in procuring food.  This is my bed, and that is Harry’s.  If, Tommy, you choose to join us, I will mark you out a piece of ground, all the produce of which shall be your own.”

“No, indeed,” said Tommy; “I am a gentleman, and don’t choose to slave like a ploughboy.”

“Just as you please, Mr. Gentleman,” said Mr. Barlow.  And Tommy, not being asked to share the plate of ripe cherries with which Mr. Barlow and Harry refreshed themselves after their labour, wandered disconsolately about the garden, surprised and vexed to find himself in a place where nobody felt any concern whether he was pleased or not.  Meanwhile, Harry, after a few words of advice from Mr. Barlow, read aloud the story of “The Ants and the Flies,” in which it is related how the flies perished for lack of laying up provisions for the winter, whereas the industrious ants, by working during the summer, provided for their maintenance when the bad weather came.

Mr. Barlow and Harry then rambled into the fields, where Mr. Barlow pointed out the several kinds of plants to be seen, and told his little companion the name and nature of each.  When they returned to dinner Tommy, who had been skulking about all day, came in, and being very hungry, was going to sit down to the table, when Mr. Barlow said, “No, sir; though you are too much of a gentleman to work, we, who are not so proud, do not choose to work for the idle!”