Jewkes, from
my master, my father, the ladies, and my own heart and conduct, as far as
I know of both; because they command it, and you will be pleased with my
relation and so, as you know how I came by the connexion, will make one
uniform relation of it.
It seems, then, my dear father and you were so uneasy to know the truth
of the story which Thomas had told you, that fearing I was betrayed, and
quite undone, he got leave of absence, and set out the day after Thomas
was there; and so, on Friday morning, he got to the neighbouring town;
and there he heard, that the gentry in the neighbourhood were at my
master's, at a great entertainment. He put on a clean shirt and
neckcloth (which he brought in his pocket) at an alehouse there, and got
shaved; and so, after he had eaten some bread and cheese, and drank a can
of ale, he set out for my master's house, with a heavy heart, dreading
for me, and in much fear of being brow-beaten. He had, it seems, asked,
at the alehouse, what family the 'squire had down here, in hopes to hear
something of me: And they said, A housekeeper, two maids, and, at
present, two coachmen, and two grooms, a footman, and a helper. Was that
all? he said. They told him, there was a young creature there, belike
who was, or was to be, his mistress, or somewhat of that nature; but had
been his mother's waiting-maid.
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