y a basket upon their heads, were
sent to town with flowers and fruit, which would have been crushed and
bruised if sent to town in the cart. Mr. Davis's eldest daughter and
myself were amongst the number of these.

At first I was much pleased at the thought of this walk, as it was an
agreeable change from our usual mode of living; the flowers were light
to carry, and the walk was not so long as to be a fatigue. I also looked
forward to the pleasure I should have in seeing Mrs. Williams, and
thanking her for having procured me such a happy situation.

On the appointed morning we left the garden and proceeded to town under
the guidance of two or three women and one man, who was one of the
principal gardeners. They also carried their baskets, which were larger
and heavier laden than ours.

The walk to town was pleasant. We arrived at the market, and in about
two hours had sold off all our stock. Mrs. Williams bought the contents
of my basket, and congratulated me on the great improvement in my health
and appearance.

Richard having paid some fees which were customary for the privilege of
standing in the market, we took up our baskets and began to walk
homeward. We had not gone far when Richard entered a public-house, the
women and children followed, I, of course, did the same. We went into a
room where there was no one but ourselves; there we all had to give up
our money to Richard, which he counted over. He took out two shillings
to be spent in the house, one shilling for himself, ninepence for each
of the women, and sixpence apiece for the children; then, putting the
remainder of the money together, said that was for the master. I was so
astonished at this proceeding that I asked him what he meant by it. He
laughed at me, and said it was a general rule among themselves to make a
little deduction on market-days to pay them for the trouble of coming to
town.

'I thought,' said I, 'that Mr. Freeman paid us for our work on Saturday
night. Does he know that you take this money?'

'Know it, blockhead! no. And it will be the worse for you if you tell
him. Come, take your sixpence, and think yourself well off that we let
you share with us.'

'I do not want the sixpence,' said I, 'unless it is to give it to Mr.
Freeman, for it is his money, and I will not keep it.'

'Lady Anne,' said Susan Davis, 'do not be a simpleton. Take the money,
and do not pretend to more honesty than the rest of us.'

'I cannot take the money,