it; or
bring in an account of all the other tankards they have lost, for you
to pay for.' 'What must I do, then?' says I. 'Nay,' says she, 'as you
have played the cunning part and stole it, you must e'en keep it;
there's no going back now. Besides, child,' says she, 'don't you want
it more than they do? I wish you could light of such a bargain once a
week.'

This gave me a new notion of my governess, and that since she was
turned pawnbroker, she had a sort of people about her that were none of
the honest ones that I had met with there before.

I had not been long there but I discovered it more plainly than before,
for every now and then I saw hilts of swords, spoons, forks, tankards,
and all such kind of ware brought in, not to be pawned, but to be sold
downright; and she bought everything that came without asking any
questions, but had very good bargains, as I found by her discourse.

I found also that in following this trade she always melted down the
plate she bought, that it might not be challenged; and she came to me
and told me one morning that she was going to melt, and if I would, she
would put my tankard in, that it might not be seen by anybody. I told
her, with all my heart; so she weighed it, and allowed me the full
value in silver again; but I found she did not do the same to the rest
of her customers.

Some time after this, as I was at work, and very melancholy, she begins
to ask me what the matter was, as she was used to do. I told her my
heart was heavy; I had little work, and nothing to live on, and knew
not what course to take. She laughed, and told me I must go out again
and try my fortune; it might be that I might meet with another piece of
plate. 'O mother!' says I, 'that is a trade I have no skill in, and if
I should be taken I am undone at once.' Says she, 'I could help you to
a schoolmistress that shall make you as dexterous as herself.' I
trembled at that proposal, for hitherto I had had no confederates, nor
any acquaintance among that tribe. But she conquered all my modesty,
and all my fears; and in a little time, by the help of this
confederate, I grew as impudent a thief, and as dexterous as ever Moll
Cutpurse was, though, if fame does not belie her, not half so handsome.

The comrade she helped me to dealt in three sorts of craft, viz.
shoplifting, stealing of shop-books and pocket-books, and taking off
gold watches from the ladies' sides; and this last she did so
dexterousl