should still deport myself towards him, both in gesture and
language, as I had always heretofore done, did yet prevail with me.
So that when I came home I went to my father bareheaded, as I used
to do, and gave him a particular account of the business he had
given me in command, in such manner that we, observing no alteration
in my carriage towards him, found no cause to take offence at me.

I had felt for some time before an earnest desire of mind to go
again to Isaac Penington's, and I began to question whether, when my
father should come (as I concluded ere long he would) to understand
I inclined to settle among the people called Quakers, he would
permit me the command of his horses, as before. Wherefore, in the
morning when I went to Oxford I gave directions to a servant of his
to go that day to a gentleman of my acquaintance, who I knew had a
riding nag to put off either by sale or to be kept for his work, and
desired him, in my name, to send him to me; which he did, and I
found him in the stable when I came home.

On this nag I designed to ride next day to Isaac Penington's, and in
order thereunto arose betimes and got myself ready for the journey;
but because I would pay all due respect to my father, and not go
without his consent, or knowledge at the least, I sent one up to him
(for he was not yet stirring) to acquaint him that I had a purpose
to go to Isaac Penington's, and desired to know if he pleased to
command me any service to them. He sent me word he would speak with
me before I went, and would have me come up to him, which I did, and
stood by his bedside.

Then, in a mild and gentle tone, he said: "I understand you have a
mind to go to Mr. Penington's." I answered, "I have so."--"Why,"