--Well, sir, said I, I think I will obey you before
night. But don't alter a word, said he. I won't, sir, replied I, since
you order it.
While we were talking, Mrs. Jewkes came up, and said Thomas was returned.
O, said my master, let him bring up the papers: for he hoped, and so did
I, that you had sent them by him. But it was a great balk, when he came
up and said, Sir, Mr. Andrews did not care to deliver them; and would
have it, that his daughter was forced to write that letter to him: and,
indeed, sir, said he, the old gentleman took on sadly, and would have it
that his daughter was undone, or else, he said, she would not have turned
back, when on her way, (as I told him she did, said Thomas,) instead of
coming to them. I began to be afraid now that all would be bad for me
again.
Well, Tom, said he, don't mince the matter; tell me, before Mrs. Andrews,
what they said. Why, sir, both he and Goody Andrews, after they had
conferred together upon your letter, madam, came out, weeping bitterly,
that grieved my very heart; and they said, Now all was over with their
poor daughter; and either she had written that letter by compulsion, or
had yielded to your honour; so they said; and was, or would be ruined!
My master seemed vexed, as I feared.
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