hard if, some how or other, I can't get a passage to you. But may be my
master won't refuse to let John bring me. I can ride behind him, I
believe, well enough; for he is very careful, and very honest; and you
know John as well as I; for he loves you both. Besides, may be, Mrs.
Jervis can put me in some way.



LETTER XXIV


DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

I shall write on, as long as I stay, though I should have nothing but
silliness to write; for I know you divert yourselves on nights with what
I write, because it is mine. John tells me how much you long for my
coming; but he says, he told you he hoped something would happen to
hinder it.

I am glad you did not tell him the occasion of my coming away; for if my
fellow-servants should guess, it were better so, than to have it from you
or me. Besides, I really am concerned, that my master should cast away a
thought upon such a poor creature as me; for, besides the disgrace, it
has quite turned his temper; and I begin to believe what Mrs. Jervis told
me, that he likes me, and can't help it; and yet strives to conquer it;
and so finds no way but to be cross to me.

Don't think me presumptuous and conceited; for it is more my concern than
my pride, to see such a gentleman so demean himself, and lessen the
regard he used to have in the eyes of all his servants, on my account.--