but troubled myself no more about it. Forgive this silly prattle, from
Your dutiful DAUGHTER.

Oh! I forgot to say, that I would stay to finish the waistcoat, if I
might with safety. Mrs. Jervis tells me I certainly may. I never did a
prettier piece of work; and I am up early and late to get it over; for I
long to be with you.



LETTER XX


DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

I did not send my last letters so soon as I hoped, because John (whether
my master mistrusts or no, I can't say) had been sent to Lady Davers's
instead of Isaac, who used to go; and I could not be so free with, nor so
well trust Isaac; though he is very civil to me too. So I was forced to
stay till John returned.

As I may not have opportunity to send again soon, and yet, as I know you
keep my letters, and read them over and over, (so John told me,) when you
have done work, (so much does your kindness make you love all that comes
from your poor daughter,) and as it may be some little pleasure to me,
perhaps, to read them myself, when I am come to you, to remind me of what
I have gone through, and how great God's goodness has been to me, (which,
I hope, will further strengthen my good resolutions, that I may not
hereafter, from my bad conduct, have reason to condemn myself from my own
hand as it were): For all these reasons, I say, I will write as I have