A MAN was one day working.

It was very hot, and he was digging.

By and by he stopped to rest and wipe his face; and he was very angry to think he had to work so hard only because of Adam's sin.

So he complained bitterly, and said some very hard words about Adam.

It happened that his master heard him, and he asked, ‘Why do you blame Adam?

You’d ha’ done just like Adam, if you’d a-been in his place.’

‘No, I shouldn't,’ said the man; ‘I should ha’ know’d better.’

‘Well, I'll try you,’ said his master; ‘come to me at dinnertime.’

So come dinner-time, the man came, and his master took him into a room where the table was a-set with good things of all sorts.

And he said: ‘Now, you can eat as much as ever you like from any of the dishes on the table; but don't touch the covered dish in the middle till I come back.’

And with that the master went out of the room and left the man there all by himself.

So the man sat down and helped himself, and ate some o’ this dish and some o’ that, and enjoyed himself finely.