father might intend that I should have gone into some other room,
and there have eaten by myself but I chose rather to eat with the
servants, and did so from thenceforward so long as he and I lived
together. And from this time he rather chose, as I thought, to
avoid seeing me than to renew the quarrel about my hat.

My sisters, meanwhile observing my weariness in words and behaviour,
and being satisfied, I suppose, that I acted upon a principle of
religion and conscience, carried themselves very kindly to me, and
did what they could to mitigate my father's displeasure against me.
So that I now enjoyed much more quiet at home, and took more liberty
to go abroad amongst my friends, than I had done or could do before.
And having informed myself where any meetings of Friends were
holden, within a reasonable distance from me, I resorted to them.

At first I went to a town called Hoddenham, in Buckinghamshire, five
miles from my father's, where, at the house of one Belson, a few who
were called Quakers did meet sometimes on a first day of the week;
but I found little satisfaction there. Afterwards, upon further
inquiry, I understood there was a settled meeting at a little
village called Meadle, about four long miles from me, in the house
of one John White, which is continued there still; and to that
thenceforward I constantly went while I abode in that country, and
was able. Many a sore day's travel have I had thither and back
again, being commonly in the winter time (how fair soever the
weather was overhead) wet up to the ankles at least; yet, through
the goodness of the Lord to me, I was preserved in health.

A little meeting also there was on the fourth day of the week at a
town called Bledlow (two miles from me), in the house of one Thomas