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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.
LETTER VI
DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,
My master has been very kind since my last; for he has given me a suit of
my late lady's clothes, and half a dozen of her shifts, and six fine
handkerchiefs, and three of her cambric aprons, and four holland ones.
The clothes are fine silk, and too rich and too good for me, to be sure.
I wish it was no affront to him to make money of them, and send it to
you: it would do me more good.
You will be full of fears, I warrant now, of some design upon me, till I
tell you, that he was with Mrs. Jervis when he gave them me; and he gave
her a mort of good things, at the same time, and bid her wear them in
remembrance of her good friend, my lady, his mother. And when he gave me
these fine things, he said, These, Pamela, are for you; have them made
fit for you, when your mourning is laid by, and wear them for your good
mistress's sake. Mrs. Jervis gives you a very good word; and I would
have you continue to behave as prudently as you have done hitherto, and
every body will be your friend.
I was so surprised at his goodness, that I could not tell what to say. I
courtesied to him, and to Mrs. Jervis for her good word; and said, I
wished I might be deserving of his favour, and her kindness: and nothing
should be wanting in me, to the best of my knowledge.
O how amiable a thing is doing good!--It is all I envy great folks for.
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