both your sakes, who have, in all your trials and misfortunes, preserved
so much integrity as makes every body speak well of you both. But I hope
he will let good Mrs. Jervis give me a character, for fear it should be
thought that I was turned away for dishonesty.

And so, my dear parents, may you be blest for me, and I for you! And I
will always pray for my master and Mrs. Jervis. So good night; for it is
late, and I shall be soon called to bed.

I hope Mrs. Jervis is not angry with me. She has not called me to
supper: though I could eat nothing if she had. But I make no doubt I
shall sleep purely to-night, and dream that I am with you, in my dear,
dear, happy loft once more.

So good night again, my dear father and mother, says
Your poor honest DAUGHTER.

Perhaps I mayn't come this week, because I must get up the linen, and
leave in order every thing belonging to my place. So send me a line, if
you can, to let me know if I shall be welcome, by John, who will call for
it as he returns. But say nothing of my coming away to him, as yet: for
it will be said I blab every thing.



LETTER XVII


MY DEAREST DAUGHTER,