I, walking on, how came I to be his property? What right
has he in me, but such as a thief may plead to stolen goods?--Why,
was ever the like heard? says she.--This is downright rebellion, I
protest!--Well, well, lambkin, (which the foolish often calls me,) if
I was in his place, he should not have his property in you long
questionable. Why, what would you do, said I, if you were he?--Not stand
shill-I-shall-I, as he does; but put you and himself both out of your
pain.--Why, Jezebel, said I, (I could not help it,) would you ruin me by
force?--Upon this she gave me a deadly slap upon my shoulder: Take that,
said she; whom do you call Jezebel?

I was so surprised, (for you never beat me, my dear father and mother,
in your lives,) that I was like one thunder-struck; and looked round, as
if I wanted somebody to help me; but, alas! I had nobody; and said, at
last, rubbing my shoulder, Is this also in your instructions?--Alas! for
me! am I to be beaten too? And so fell a crying, and threw myself upon
the grass-walk we were upon.--Said she, in a great pet, I won't be
called such names, I'll assure you. Marry come up! I see you have
a spirit: You must and shall be kept under. I'll manage such little
provoking things as you, I warrant ye! Come, come, we'll go in a'doors,
and I'll lock you up, and you shall have no shoes, nor any thing else,
if this be the case.

I did not know what to do. This was a cruel thing to me, and I blamed
myself for my free speech; for now I have given her some pretence: and
O! thought I, here I have, by my malapertness, ruined the only project I
had left.

The gardener saw this scene: but she called to him, Well, Jacob, what do
you stare at? Pray mind what you're upon. And away he walked, to another
quarter, out of sight.

Well, thought I, I must put on the dissembler a little, I see. She took
my hand roughly; Come, get up, said she, and come in a'doors!--I'll
Jezebel you, I will so!--Why, dear Mrs. Jewkes, said I.--None of your
dears, and your coaxing! said she; why not Jezebel again?--She was in
a fearful passion, I saw, and I was out of my wits. Thought I, I
have often heard women blamed for their tongues; I wish mine had been
shorter. But I can't go in, said I, indeed I can't!--Why, said she,
can't you? I'll warrant I can take such a thin body as you under my arm,
and carry you in, if you won't walk. You don't know my strength.--Yes,
but I do, said I, too well; and will you not use me worse whe