be seen to pity me.

And now I will give you an instance how much I am in Mr. Longman's
esteem also.

I had lost my pen some how; and my paper being written out, I stepped
to Mr. Longman's, our steward's, office, to beg him to give me a pen
or two, and a sheet or two of paper. He said, Ay, that I will, my sweet
maiden! and gave me three pens, some wafers, a stick of wax, and twelve
sheets of paper; and coming from his desk, where he was writing, he
said, Let me have a word or two with you, my sweet little mistress: (for
so these two good old gentlemen often call me; for I believe they love
me dearly:) I hear bad news; that we are going to lose you: I hope it
is not true. Yes it is, sir, said I; but I was in hopes it would not be
known till I went away.

What a d---l, said he, ails our master of late! I never saw such an
alteration in any man in my life! He is pleased with nobody as I see;
and by what Mr. Jonathan tells me just now, he was quite out of the way
with you. What could you have done to him, tro'? Only Mrs. Jervis is a
very good woman, or I should have feared she had been your enemy.

No, said I, nothing like it. Mrs. Jervis is a just good woman; and,
next to my father and mother, the best friend I have in the world--Well,
then, said he, it must be worse. Shall I guess? You are too pretty, my
sweet mistress, and, may be, too virtuous. Ah! have I not hit it? No,
good Mr. Longman, said I, don't think any thing amiss of my master; he
is cross and angry with me indeed, that's true; but I may have given
occasion for it, possibly; and because I am desirous to go to my father
and mother, rather than stay here, perhaps he may think me ungrateful.
But, you know, sir, said I, that a father and mother's comfort is the
dearest thing to a good child that can be. Sweet excellence! said he,
this becomes you; but I know the world and mankind too well; though I
must hear, and see, and say nothing. And so a blessing attend my little
sweeting, said he, wherever you go! And away went I with a courtesy and
thanks.

Now this pleases one, my dear father and mother, to be so beloved.--How
much better, by good fame and integrity, is it to get every one's good
word but one, than, by pleasing that one, to make every one else one's
enemy, and be an execrable creature besides! I am, etc.

LETTER XXIII

MY DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

We had a great many neighbouring gentlemen, and their ladies, this day,
at dinner; and my