Jonathan Swift had a friend who often sent little presents to him. These presents were generally brought by the same servant, a boy. Swift was rather stingy, and he never gave the boy anything for his trouble.
One day the boy came to Swift's house with a present from his master. Swift's servant let the boy into the house, and the boy walked quickly up to the door of Swift's study, pushed it rudely open, and called out: "Master has sent you a present".
Swift, who was writing at a table, turned round and said: "My boy, that is not the way to deliver a present. I'll show you how it has to be done. You sit down in my chair".
The boy sat down, and Swift went out of the room. Soon he came and knocked at the door. "Come in", said the boy. Swift came in and said: "If you please, Sir, Master presents his compliment to you, and begs you will accept a small present he sent you". "Does he?" answered the boy, "then return my best thanks to him, and here is half-a-crown for yourself".
Swift began to laugh, he took the boy's hint; and after that the boy never forgot to follow Swift's instructions in politeness.