mmit this to the happy tiles, in the bosom of that earth, where, I
hope, my deliverance will take root, and bring forth such fruit, as may
turn to my inexpressible joy, and your eternal reward, both here and
hereafter: As shall ever pray, 'Your oppressed humble servant.'
Thursday.
This completes a terrible week since my setting out, as I hoped to see
you, my dear father and mother. O how different were my hopes then, from
what they are now! Yet who knows what these happy tiles may produce!
But I must tell you, first, how I have been beaten by Mrs. Jewkes! It is
very true!--And thus it came about:
My impatience was great to walk in the garden, to see if any thing had
offered, answerable to my hopes. But this wicked Mrs. Jewkes would not
let me go without her; and said, she was not at leisure. We had a great
many words about it; for I told her, it was very hard I could not be
trusted to walk by myself in the garden for a little air, but must be
dogged and watched worse than a thief.
She still pleaded her instructions, and said she was not to trust me
out of her sight: And you had better, said she, be easy and contented, I
assure you; for I have worse orders than you have yet found. I remember,
added she, your asking Mr. Williams, If there were any gentry in the
neighbourhood? This makes me suspect you want to get away to them, to
tell your sad dismal story, as you call it.
My heart was at my mouth; for I feared, by that hint, she had seen my
letter under the tiles: O how uneasy I was! At last she said, Well,
since you take on so, you may take a turn, and I will be with you in a
minute.
When I was out of sight of her window, I speeded towards the hopeful
place; but was soon forced to slacken my pace, by her odious voice:
Hey-day, why so nimble, and whither so fast? said she: What! are you
upon a wager? I stopt for her, till her pursy sides were waddled up to
me; and she held by my arm, half out of breath: So I was forced to pass
by the dear place, without daring to look at it.
The gardener was at work a little farther, and so we looked upon him,
and I began to talk about his art; but she said, softly, My instructions
are, not to let you be so familiar with the servants. Why, said I, are
you afraid I should confederate with them to commit a robbery upon my
master? May be I am, said the odious wretch; for to rob him of yourself,
would be the worst that could happen to him, in his opinion.
And pray, said
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