Containing matter of no very peaceable colour.
Molly had no sooner apparelled herself in her accustomed
rags, than her sisters began to fall violently upon
her, particularly her eldest sister, who told her
she was well enough served. “How had she
the assurance to wear a gown which young Madam Western
had given to mother! If one of us was to wear
it, I think,” says she, “I myself have
the best right; but I warrant you think it belongs
to your beauty. I suppose you think yourself
more handsomer than any of us.”—“Hand
her down the bit of glass from over the cupboard,”
cries another; “I’d wash the blood from
my face before I talked of my beauty.”—“You’d
better have minded what the parson says,” cries
the eldest, “and not a harkened after men voke.”—“Indeed,
child, and so she had,” says the mother, sobbing:
“she hath brought a disgrace upon us all.
She’s the vurst of the vamily that ever was a
whore.”
“You need not upbraid me with that, mother,”
cries Molly; “you yourself was brought-to-bed
of sister there, within a week after you was married.”
“Yes, hussy,” answered the enraged mother,
“so I was, and what was the mighty matter of
that? I was made an honest woman then; and if
you was to be made an honest woman, I should not be
angry; but you must have to doing with a gentleman,
you nasty slut; you will have a bastard, hussy, you
will; and that I defy any one to say of me.”
In this situation Black George found his family, when
he came home for the purpose before mentioned.
As his wife and three daughters were all of them talking
together, and most of them crying, it was some time
before he could get an opportunity of being heard;
but as soon as such an interval occurred, he acquainted
the company with what Sophia had said to him.
Goody Seagrim then began to revile her daughter afresh.
“Here,” says she, “you have brought
us into a fine quandary indeed. What will madam
say to that big belly? Oh that ever I should live
to see this day!”
Molly answered with great spirit, “And what
is this mighty place which you have got for me, father?”
(for he had not well understood the phrase used by
Sophia of being about her person). “I suppose
it is to be under the cook; but I shan’t wash
dishes for anybody. My gentleman will provide
better for me. See what he hath given me this
afternoon. He hath promised I shall never want
money; and you shan’t want money neither, mother,
if you will hold your tongue, and know when you are
well.” And so saying, she pulled out several
guineas, and gave her mother one of them.
