She was a sweet, pretty creature, I'm told, but hardly fit for this world, being neither large, nor fierce, nor able to take her own part.

So I was born and bred in the great house, where I learnt to read and sew, to fear God, and to take my own part.

When I was fourteen I was put out to service to a small farmer and his wife, with whom, however, I did not stay long, for I was half starved, and otherwise ill-treated, especially by my mistress, who one day attempted to knock me down with a besom, I knocked her down with my fist, and went back to the great house." "And how did they receive you in the great house ?" "Not very kindly, young man--on the contrary, I was put into a dark room, where I was kept a fortnight on bread and water; I did not much care, however, being glad to have got back to the great house at any rate, the place where I was born, and where my poor mother died; and in the great house I continued two years longer, reading and sewing, fearing God, and taking my own part when necessary.

At the end of the two years I was again put out to service, but this time to a rich farmer and his wife, with whom, however, I did not live long,--less time, I believe, than with the poor ones, being obliged to leave for--" "Knocking your mistress down ?" "No, young man, knocking my master down, who conducted himself improperly towards me.

This time I did not go back to the great house, having a misgiving that they would not receive me; so I turned my back to the great house where I was born, and where my poor mother died, and wandered for several days, I know not whither, supporting myself on a few halfpence, which I chanced to have in my pocket.