And yours too, good Mr.
Andrews, taking his hand.
This was very obliging, I told her; and we went to the great parlour; and
my master took my father by the hand, and made him sit down by him, and
drink a glass of wine with him. Mean-time, I made my excuses to the
ladies, as well as I could, which they readily granted me. But Sir
Simon, after his comical manner, put his hands on my shoulders: Let me
see, let me see, said he, where your wings grow; for I never saw any body
fly like you.--Why, said he, you have broken Lady Jones's shins with the
table. Shew her else, madam.
His pleasantry made them laugh. And I said, I was very sorry for my
extravagancy: and if it had not been my master's doings, I should have
said, it was a fault to permit me to be surprised, and put out of myself,
before such good company. They said, All was very excusable; and they
were glad I suffered no more by it.
They were so kind as to excuse me at cards, and played by themselves; and
I went by my master's commands and sat on the other side, in the happiest
place I ever was blest with, between two of the dearest men in the world
to me, and each holding one of my hands:--my father, every now and then,
with tears, lifting up his eyes, and saying, Could I ever have hoped
this!
I asked him, If he had been so kind as to bring the papers with him? He
said, He had; and looked at me, as who should say, Must I give them to
you now?--I said, Be pleased to let me have them.
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