my dear father and mother,

john being to go your way, i am willing to write, because he is so willing to carry any thing for me. he says it does him good at his heart to see you both, and to hear you talk. he says you are both so sensible, and so honest, that he always learns something from you to the purpose. it is a thousand pities, he says, that such worthy hearts should not have better luck in the world! and wonders, that you, my father, who are so well able to teach, and write so good a hand, succeeded no better in the school you attempted to set up; but was forced to go to such hard labour. but this is more pride to me, that i am come of such honest parents, than if i had been born a lady.

i hear nothing yet of going to lady davers; and i am very easy at present here: for mrs. jervis uses me as if i were her own daughter, and is a very good woman, and makes my master's interest her own. she is always giving me good counsel, and i love her next to you two, i think, best of any body. she keeps so good rule and order, she is mightily respected by us all; and takes delight to hear me read to her; and all she loves to hear read, is good books, which we read whenever we are alone; so that i think i am at home with you. she heard one of our men, harry, who is no better than he should be, speak freely to me; i think he called me his pretty pamela, and took hold of me, as if he would have kissed me; for which, you may be sure, i was very angry: and she took him to task, and was as angry at him as could be; and told me she was very well pleased to see my prudence and modesty, and that i kept all the fellows at a distance. and indeed i am sure i am not proud, and carry it civilly to every body; but yet, methinks, i cannot bear to be looked upon by these men-servants, for they seem as if they would look one through; and, as i generally breakfast, dine, and sup, with mrs. jervis, (so good she is to me,) i am very easy that i have so little to say to them. not but they are civil to me in the main, for mrs. jervis's sake, who they see loves me; and they stand in awe of her, knowing her to be a gentlewoman born, though she has had misfortunes. i am going on again with a long letter; for i love writing, and shall tire you. but, when i began, i only intended to say, that i am quite fearless of any danger now: and, indeed, cannot but wonder at myself, (though your caution to me was your watchful love,) that i should be so foolish as to be so uneasy as i have been: for i am sure my master would not demean himself, so as to think upon such a poor girl as i, for my harm. for such a thing would ruin his credit, as well as mine, you know: who, to be sure, may expect one of the best ladies in the land. so no more at present, but that i am

your ever dutiful daughter.