was ashamed of his present plight, and rather indignant with things in general for not providing him with some better employment. The horseman was one well accustomed to reading character, and rarely mistaken in his judgment; and being touched as well as favourably impressed by the[Pg 14] boy, it suddenly occurred to him that he might be turned to account. [Pg 14] "Just answer me a few questions, my boy, will you?" said he. "Can you write?" "No, I can't; I have never had any teaching." And, indeed, writing was a by no means general accomplishment in the reign of the good King Matthias, when many of the first nobles in the land could not even sign their own names. But still there seem to have been elementary schools not only in the towns but in other places as well, so that the question was not altogether unreasonable. "Then you can't read either?" "Of course not; as if it were likely!" "Have you ever been in service?" "Never, sir, thank Heaven; but I have worked as a day-labourer." "Why don't you turn soldier?" "Because my head is worth more than my arms," said the beggar: "besides, they wouldn't take such a ragged chap as I." "Are you to be trusted, I wonder?" The boy looked up at the speaker at this, and then answered with an air of wounded pride, "I have not had a good meal for a fortnight, yet I have not stolen[Pg 15] so much as a plum from a tree. You may trust me with a purse full of money." [Pg 15] "Well, öcsém[2] [little brother], it is possible you may be a regular rascal, for anything I know to the contrary at present; but you have a good face, and I should like to see such a head as yours on many a pair of shoulders which are covered with gold and marten-fur. Well, I don't care! I am going to trust a good pair of eyes and a clear forehead. Listen, boy. I like you. Stand here before me, and let me see what you have got in you, gossip! for if you hold good measure, you have been born under a lucky star, I can tell you." [2] A common way of addressing younger persons. [2]
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