“Ah, my son,” said the father, “titbits are not bad, but there is great risk about them; on that account take great care of thyself henceforth, and particularly when people are going about the gardens who carry long green poles which are hollow inside and have a little hole at the top.”

“Yes, father, but what if a little green leaf is stuck over the hole with wax?” said the son.

“Where hast thou seen that?”

“In a merchant’s garden,” said the youngster.

“Oh, my son, merchant folks are quick folks,” said the father. “If thou hast been among the children of the world, thou hast learned worldly shiftiness enough, only see that thou usest it well, and do not be too confident.” After this he asked the next, “Where hast thou passed thy time?”

“At court,” said the son.