FATHER and MOTHER.

LETTER XIV

DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

Mrs. Jervis and I have lived very comfortably together for this
fortnight past; for my master was all that time at his Lincolnshire
estate, and at his sister's, the Lady Davers. But he came home
yesterday. He had some talk with Mrs. Jervis soon after, and mostly
about me. He said to her, it seems, Well, Mrs. Jervis, I know Pamela has
your good word; but do you think her of any use in the family? She told
me she was surprised at the question, but said, That I was one of the
most virtuous and industrious young creatures that ever she knew. Why
that word virtuous, said he, I pray you? Was there any reason to suppose
her otherwise? Or has any body taken it into his head to try her?--I
wonder, sir, says she, you ask such a question! Who dare offer any thing
to her in such an orderly and well-governed house as yours, and under a
master of so good a character for virtue and honour? Your servant, Mrs.
Jervis, says he, for your good opinion: but pray, if any body did, do
you think Pamela would let you know it? Why, sir, said she, she is a
poor innocent young creature, and I believe has so much confidence in
me, that she would take my advice as soon as she would her mother's.
Innocent! again, and virtuous, I warrant! Well, Mrs. Jervis, you abound
with your epithets; but I take her to be an artful young baggage; and
had I a young handsome butler or steward, she'd soon make her market of
one of them, if she thought it worth while to snap at him for a husband.
Alack-a-day, sir, said she, it is early days with Pamela; and she does
not yet think of a husband, I dare say: and your steward and butler are
both men in years, and think nothing of the matter. No, said he, if they
were younger, they'd have more wit than to think of such a girl; I'll
tell you my mind of her, Mrs. Jervis: I don't think this same favourite
of yours so very artless a girl as you imagine. I am not to dispute with
your honour, said Mrs. Jervis; but I dare say, if the men will let her
alone, she'll never trouble herself about them. Why, Mrs. Jervis, said
he, are there any men that will not let her alone, that you know of?
No, indeed, sir, said she; she keeps herself so much to herself, and yet
behaves so prudently, that they all esteem her, and shew her as great a
respect as if she was a gentlewoman born.

Ay, says he, that's her art, that I was speaking of: but, let me tell
you, the