Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

He has brought me my papers safe: and I will send them to Lady Davers

the first opportunity, down to the place I mentioned in my last.

My dear Mr. B---- just now tells me, that he will carry me, in the

morning, a little airing, about ten miles off, in his chariot and four,

to breakfast at a farm-house, noted for a fine dairy, and where, now and

then, the neighbouring gentry, of both sexes, resort for that purpose.

Thursday. We set out at about half an hour after six, accordingly; and driving

pretty smartly, got at this truly neat house at half an hour after

eight; and I was much pleased with the neatness of the good woman, and

her daughter and maid; and he was so good as to say he would now and

then take a turn with me to the same place, and on the same occasion, as

I seemed to like it; for that it would be a pretty exercise, and procure

us appetites to our breakfasts, as well as our return would to our

dinners. But I find this was not, though a very good reason, the only

one for which he gave me this agreeable airing; as I shall acquaint you.

We were prettily received and entertained here, and an elegancy ran

through every thing, persons as well as furniture, yet all plain. And my

master said to the good housewife, Do your young boarding-school ladies

still at times continue their visits to you, Mrs. Dobson? Yes, sir, said

she, I expect three or four of them every minute.

There is, my dear, said he, within three miles of this farm, a very good

boarding-school for ladies. The governess of it keeps a chaise and pair,

which is to be made a double chaise at pleasure; and in summer time,

when the misses perform their tasks to satisfaction, she favours them

with an airing to this place, three or four at a time; and after they

have breakfasted, they are carried back. And this serves both for a

reward, and for exercise; and the misses who have this favour are not

a little proud of it; and it brings them forward in their respective

tasks. A very good method, sir, said I. And just as we were talking, the chaise

came in with four misses, all pretty much of a size, and a maid-servant

to attend them. They were shewn another little neat apartment, that went

through ours; and made their honours very prettily, as they passed by

us. I went into the room to them, and asked them questions about their

work, and their lessons; and what they had done to deserve such a fine

airing and breakfasting; and they all answered me very prettily. And

pray, little ladies, said I, what may I call your names? One was called

Miss Burdoff, one Miss Nugent, one Miss Booth, and the fourth Miss

Goodwin. I don't know which, said I, is the prettiest; but you are all

best, my little dears; and you have a very good governess, to indulge

you with such a fine airing, and such delicate cream, and bread and

butter. I hope you think so too.