All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL L\ A GARDEN FAIR. :loc^
visited every show in London during this
time.
If there had been an aisthetic or artistic
circle in their village they would all three have
become self-conscious prigs ; but there was
none. They were left entirely to themselves,
and they remained humble, though they were
the three most remarkable young people in
tlie east of London. Claire, as wise and ac-
complished as Lady Jane Grey, continued to
teach the rudiments of knowledge, and was
patronised by the older governesses. The
young men wended their way daily to the
place of business, but talked, going and coming,
of things which raise the soul. The aristocracy
of the village had ceased to take their old
interest in them. Who, among an illustrious
company of eminent bankru[)ts, regardeth a
clerk? Ihit more and more Allen's mind was
fdled with the thoughts and dreams which come
in crowds to the brain of the boy of books.
He should have been sent to Oxford or Cam-
bridge, where he might have taken a fellow-
VOL. I. Y