John being to go your way, I am willing to write, because he is so
willing to carry any thing for me. He says it does him good at his heart
to see you both, and to hear you talk. He says you are both so sensible,
and so honest, that he always learns something from you to the purpose.
It is a thousand pities, he says, that such worthy hearts should not
have better luck in the world! and wonders, that you, my father, who are
so well able to teach, and write so good a hand, succeeded no better in
the school you attempted to set up; but was forced to go to such hard
labour. But this is more pride to me, that I am come of such honest
parents, than if I had been born a lady.
I hear nothing yet of going to Lady Davers; and I am very easy at
present here: for Mrs. Jervis uses me as if I were her own daughter,
and is a very good woman, and makes my master's interest her own. She is
always giving me good counsel, and I love her next to you two, I think,
best of any body. She keeps so good rule and order, she is mightily
respected by us all; and takes delight to hear me read to her; and all
she loves to hear read, is good books, which we read whenever we are
alone; so that I think I am at home with you. She heard one of our men,
Harry, who is no better than he should be, speak freely to me; I think
he called me his pretty Pamela, and took hold of me, as if he would have
kissed me; for which, you may be sure, I was very angry: and she took
him to task, and was as angry at him as could be; and told me she was
very well pleased to see my prudence and modesty, and that I kept all
the fellows at a distance.
And indeed I am sure I am not proud, and
carry it civilly to every body; but yet, methinks, I cannot bear to be
looked upon by these men-servants, for they seem as if they would look
one through; and, as I generally breakfast, dine, and sup, with Mrs.
Jervis, (so good she is to me,) I am very easy that I have so little to
say to them. Not but they are civil to me in the main, for Mrs. Jervis's
sake, who they see loves me; and they stand in awe of her, knowing her
to be a gentlewoman born, though she has had misfortunes. I am going on
again with a long letter; for I love writing, and shall tire you. But,
when I began, I only intended to say, that I am quite fearless of any
danger now: and, indeed, cannot but wonder at myself, (though your
caution to me was your watchful love,) that I should be so foolish as
to be so uneasy as I have been: for I am sure my master would not demean
himself, so as to think upon such a poor girl as I, for my harm. For
such a thing would ruin his credit, as well as mine, you know: who, to
be sure, may expect one of the best ladies in the land. So no more at
present, but that I am Your ever dutiful DAUGHTER.