But, said I, Mrs. Jervis, (and she wept to hear me,) one thing more I
have to trouble you with, and that's all.
There are four guineas, you know, that came out of my good lady's pocket,
when she died; that, with some silver, my master gave me: Now these same
four guineas I sent to my poor father and mother, and they have broken
them; but would make them up, if I would: and if you think it should be
so, it shall. But pray tell me honestly your mind: As to the three years
before my lady's death, do you think, as I had no wages, I may be
supposed to be quits?--By quits, I cannot mean that my poor services
should be equal to my lady's goodness; for that's impossible. But as all
her learning and education of me, as matters have turned, will be of
little service to me now; for it had been better for me to have been
brought up to hard labour, to be sure; for that I must turn to at last,
if I can't get a place: (and you know, in places too, one is subject to
such temptations as are dreadful to think of:) so, I say, by quits I only
mean, as I return all the good things she gave me, whether I may not set
my little services against my keeping; because, as I said, my learning is
not now in the question; and I am sure my dear good lady would have
thought so, had she lived; but that too is now out of the question.
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