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don't be seen speaking to such a one as me. I cried too; and slipt away
as fast as I could from him, for his own sake, lest he should 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 master made a fine entertainment for them: and Isaac,
and Mr. Jonathan, and Benjamin, waited at table: And Isaac tells Mrs.
Jervis, that the ladies will by and by come to see the house, and have
the curiosity to see me; for, it seems, they said to my master, when the
jokes flew about, Well, Mr. B----, we understand you have a servant-maid,
who is the greatest beauty in the county; and we promise ourselves to see

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