God protect me from
the latter, if it be his blessed will! I have now such a scene to open
to you, that, I know, will alarm both your hopes and your fears, as it
does mine. And this it is:
After my master had dined, he took a turn into the stables, to look at
his stud of horses; and, when he came in, he opened the parlour-door,
where Mrs. Jewkes and I sat at dinner; and, at his entrance, we both rose
up; but he said, Sit still, sit still, and let me see how you eat your
victuals, Pamela. O, said Mrs. Jewkes, very poorly, indeed, sir! No,
said I, pretty well, sir, considering. None of your considerings, said
he, pretty face; and tapped me on the cheek. I blushed, but was glad he
was so good-humoured; but I could not tell how to sit before him, nor to
behave myself. So he said, I know, Pamela, you are a nice carver: my
mother used to say so. My lady, sir, said I, was very good to me in
every thing, and would always make me do the honours of her table for
her, when she was with her few select friends that she loved. Cut up,
said he, that chicken. I did so. Now, said he, and took a knife and
fork, and put a wing upon my plate, let me see you eat that. O sir, said
I, I have eaten a whole breast of a chicken already, and cannot eat so
much.
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