So, as I was saying, unknown to any body, I bought of farmer Nichols's
wife and daughters a good sad-coloured stuff, of their own spinning,
enough to make me a gown and two petticoats; and I made robings and
facings of a pretty bit of printed calico I had by me.
I had a pretty good camblet quilted coat, that I thought might do
tolerably well; and I bought two flannel undercoats; not so good as
my swanskin and fine linen ones, but what will keep me warm, if any
neighbour should get me to go out to help 'em to milk, now and then, as
sometimes I used to do formerly; for I am resolved to do all your good
neighbours what kindness I can; and hope to make myself as much beloved
about you, as I am here. I got some pretty good Scotch cloth, and made me, of mornings and
nights, when nobody saw me, two shifts; and I have enough left for two
shirts, and two shifts, for you my dear father and mother. When I come
home, I'll make them for you, and desire your acceptance.
Then I bought of a pedlar, two pretty enough round-eared caps, a little
straw-hat, and a pair of knit mittens, turned up with white calico; and
two pair of ordinary blue worsted hose, that make a smartish appearance,
with white clocks, I'll assure you; and two yards of black riband for my
shift sleeves, and to serve as a necklace; and when I had 'em all
come home, I went and looked upon them once in two hours, for two days
together: For, you must know, though I be with Mrs. Jervis, I keep my
own little apartment still for my clothes, and nobody goes thither but
myself. You'll say I was no bad housewife to have saved so much money;
but my dear good lady was always giving me something.
I believed myself the more obliged to do this, because, as I was turned
away for what my good master thought want of duty; and as he expected
other returns for his presents, than I intended to make him, so I
thought it was but just to leave his presents behind me when I went
away; for, you know, if I would not earn his wages, why should I have
them? Don't trouble yourself about the four guineas, nor borrow to make
them up; for they were given me, with some silver, as I told you, as a
perquisite, being what my lady had about her when she died; and, as I
hope for no wages, I am so vain as to think I have deserved all that
money in the fourteen months, since my lady's death, for she, good soul,
overpaid me before, in learning and other kindnesses. Had she lived,
none of these things might have happened!--But I ought to be thankful
'tis no worse. Every thing will turn about for the best: that's my
confidence.