' said I. 'Mr. Sanders told me never to take
other people's property, but always to do as I would be done by.'

'You shall not have the money,' said Richard, at the same time giving me
a violent slap across the shoulders. 'Mr. Sanders was a canting old
Methodist, and you are like him. But take care, if you say a word of
what has passed I will be the death of you.'

The women and children were also in a violent rage, and began beating me
and pulling my hair, so that I was afraid they would really kill me, and
I cried out, begging them not to beat me, and that I would not tell.

'Let her alone,' said Susan Davis; 'she will not tell, I'll answer for
her. I'll talk to her when we are at home; and, I dare say, next
market-day, she will do as we do.'

'Aye, let her alone,' said Richard, 'or Joseph will find out that we
have been thumping her. She has a pretty swelled face to show. But mind,
girl, if you say a word of what has passed I'll tie you neck and heels,
and throw you into a pond.'

I was obliged to renew my promise of secrecy, and soon after we left the
house.

When we came to town in the morning the distance had appeared as nothing
to me, my heart was then so light; but now I felt so wretched that the
distance seemed more than double, the empty basket felt so heavy on my
head, and I felt myself like a guilty culprit who had robbed her master.

When we arrived at the grounds Richard went to give an account of the
morning's sale, and what money he thought proper, to his master. The
women and children went to their work in different parts of the garden,
and I also concealed myself from Mr. Joseph's sight, lest he should see
that I had been in tears.

In the afternoon he called for me, and I tremblingly obeyed his summons.

'Why, Lady Anne, how is this?' said he. 'Why do you not like to come to
me as usual? How did you like your walk this morning? But what is the
matter? You have been crying.'

'I am so tired,' I replied, 'and the basket was heavy.'

'That is not all,' said he, regarding me very earnestly; 'somebody has
been beating you, for you have the marks of the blows upon your face and
shoulders. Who was it?'

'Pray, sir, do not ask me,' said I; 'for if I tell you I shall be beat
more.'

'Well, well,' said he, 'I will not ask you. I have long seen that the
girls envied you. They think that I favour you, and, if I do, it is
their own fault. There is not one among them that, if I sent to the
greenhous