rable by it, I should never forgive myself, if I were not to
lengthen out to the longest minute my happy time of honesty. Who knows
what Providence may do for me!
Why, may be, said she, as he loves you so well, you may prevail upon him
by your prayers and tears; and for that reason, I should think, you'd
better let him come down. Well, said I, I will write him a letter,
because he expects an answer, or may be he will make a pretence to come
down. How can it go?
I'll take care of that, said she; it is in my instructions.--Ay, thought
I, so I doubt, by the hint Mr. Williams gave me about the post-house.
The gardener coming by, I said, Mr. Jacob, I have planted a few beans,
and I call the place my garden. It is just by the door out yonder: I'll
shew it you; pray don't dig them up. So I went on with him; and when we
had turned the alley, out of her sight and were near the place said I,
Pray step to Mrs. Jewkes, and ask her if she has any more beans for
me to plant? He smiled, I suppose at my foolishness; and I popped the
letter under the mould, and stepped back, as if waiting for his return;
which, being near, was immediate; and she followed him. What should I do
with beans? said she,--and sadly scared me; for she whispered me, I
am afraid of some fetch! You don't use to send on such simple
errands.--What fetch? said I: It is hard I can neither stir, nor speak,
but I must be suspected.--Why, said she, my master writes, that I must
have all my eyes about me; for though you are as innocent as a dove, yet
you are as cunning as a serpent. But I'll forgive you, if you cheat me.
Then I thought of my money, and could have called her names, had I
dared: And I said, Pray Mrs. Jewkes, now you talk of forgiving me, if
I cheat you, be so kind as to pay me my money; for though I have no
occasion for it, yet I know you was but in jest, and intended to give it
me again. You shall have it in a proper time, said she; but, indeed, I
was in earnest to get it out of your hands, for fear you should make an
ill use of it. And so we cavilled upon this subject as we walked in, and
I went up to write my letter to my master; and, as I intended to shew
it her, I resolved to write accordingly as to her part of it; for I made
little account of his offer of Mrs. Jervis to me, instead of this wicked
woman, (though the most agreeable thing that could have befallen me,
except my escape from hence,) nor indeed any thing he said. For to be
honourable,
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