rice, and helped the ladies. Miss Darnford said, I would give
something to be so dexterous a carver. O madam, said I, my late good
lady would always make me do these things, when she entertained her
female friends, as she used to do on particular days.
Ay, said my master, I remember my poor mother would often say, if I, or
any body at table, happened to be a little out in carving, I'll send up
for my Pamela, to shew you how to carve. Said Lady Jones, Mrs. Andrews
has every accomplishment of her sex. She is quite wonderful for her
years. Miss Darnford said, And I can tell you, madam, that she plays
sweetly upon the spinnet, and sings as sweetly to it; for she has a fine
voice. Foolish! said Sir Simon; who, that hears her speak, knows not
that? And who that sees her fingers, believes not that they were made to
touch any key? O, parson! said he, 'tis well you're by, or I should have
had a blush from the ladies. I hope not, Sir Simon, said Lady Jones; for
a gentleman of your politeness would not say any thing that would make
ladies blush.--No, no, said he, for the world: but if I had, it would
have been, as the poet says,
'They blush, because they understand.'
When the company went away, Lady Darnford, Lady Jones, and Mrs. Peters,
severally invited my master, and me with him, to their houses; and
begged he would permit me, at least, to come before we left those parts.
And they said, We hope, when the happy knot is tied, you will induce Mr.
B---- to reside more among us. We were always glad, said Lady Darnford,
when he was here; but now shall have double reason. O what grateful
things were these to the ears of my good father!
When the company was gone, my master asked my father, if he smoked? He
answered, No. He made us both sit down by him, and said, I have been
telling this sweet girl, that in fourteen days, and two of them are
gone, she must fix on one to make me happy. And have left it to her
to choose either one of the first or last seven. My father held up his
hands, and eyes; God bless your honour! said he, is all I can say. Now,
Pamela, said my master, taking my hand, don't let a little wrong-timed
bashfulness take place, without any other reason, because I should be
glad to go to Bedfordshire as soon as I could; and I would not return
till I carry my servants there a mistress, who should assist me to
repair the mischiefs she has made in it.
I could not look up for confusion. And my father said, My dear
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