“The proposal is a good one,” the trader said.  “I am often puzzled how to send notes to those of my neighbors with whom I am in correspondence, for the lad Jacob is sharp—­too sharp, indeed, for my purpose, and might suspect the purport of his goings and comings.  I believe him to be faithful, though overapt to mischief.  But in these days one cares not to risk one’s neck unless on a surety.  The first thing will be, then, to procure for thee a suit of clothes, suitable to thy new position.  Under the plea that at present work is but slack—­for indeed the troubles of the times have well-nigh ruined the trade in such goods as mine, throwing it all into the hands of the smiths—­I shall be able to grant thee some license, and to allow thee to go about and see the city and acquaint thyself with its ways.  Master Jacob may feel, perhaps, a little jealous; but this matters not.  I somewhat misdoubt the boy, though perhaps unjustly.  But I know not how his opinions may go toward matters politic.  He believes me, I think, as do other men, to be attached to the present state of things; but even did his thoughts jump otherwise, he would not have opened his lips before me.  It would be well, therefore, for you to be cautious in the extreme with him, and to find out of a verity what be his nature and disposition.  Doubtless, in time, he will unbosom to you and you may see whether he has any suspicions, and how far he is to be trusted.  He was recommended to me by a friend at Poole, and I know not the opinions of his people.  I will come forth with you now and order the clothes without delay, and we will return in time for dinner, which will be at twelve, of which time it now lacks half an hour.”

Putting on his high hat, the merchant sallied out with Harry into the Cheap, and going to a clothier’s was able to purchase ready-made garments suitable to his new position as a ’prentice boy.  Returning with these, he bade the lad mount to the room which he was to share Jacob, to change with all speed, and to come down to dinner, which was now nearly ready.

The meal was to Harry a curious one.  The merchant sat at one end of the table, his wife at the other.  The scrivener occupied a place on one side, and his fellow-apprentice and himself on the other.  The merchant spoke to his wife on the troubles of the times in a grave, oracular voice, which appeared to be intended chiefly for the edification of his three assistants, who ate their dinner in silence, only saying a word or two in answer to any question addressed to them.  Harry, who was accustomed to dine with his father, was somewhat nice in his ways of eating.  But, observing a sudden look of interest and suspicion upon the face of the sharp boy beside him at his manner of eating, he, without making so sudden a change as to be perceptible, gradually fell into the way of eating of his companion, mentally blaming himself severely for having for a moment forgotten his assumed part.