in all things observe my father's orders, and not go out at any time
from the house without his leave.

Now I plainly saw the snare, and to what end it was laid; and I
asked him if this device was not contrived to keep me from going to
meetings; he said I must not go to meetings. Whereupon I desired
him to take notice that I would not own myself a prisoner to any man
while I continued here; that if he had power to detain me prisoner,
he might take me back again with him if he would, and I should not
refuse to go with him. But I bade him assure himself, that while I
was at home I would take my liberty both to go to meetings and to
visit Friends. He smiled, and said if I would be resolute he could
not help it; and so took his leave of me.

By this I perceived that the plot was of my father's laying, to have
brought me under such an engagement as should have tied me from
going to meetings; and thereupon I expected I should have a new
exercise from my father.

It was the constant manner of my father to have all the keys of the
out-doors of his house (which were four, and those linked upon a
chain) brought up into his chamber every night, and fetched out from
thence in the morning; so that none could come in or go out in the
night without his knowledge.

I knowing this, suspected that if I got not out before my father
came down I should be stopped from going out at all that day.
Wherefore (the passage from my chamber lying by his chamber door) I
went down softly without my shoes, and as soon as the maid had
opened the door I went out (though too early), and walked towards