“I find myself growing faint, so I shall refer
you to my will for my disposition of the residue.
My servants will there find some tokens to remember
me by; and there are a few charities which, I trust,
my executors will see faithfully performed. Bless
you all. I am setting out a little before you.”—
Here a footman came hastily into the room, and said
there was an attorney from Salisbury who had a particular
message, which he said he must communicate to Mr Allworthy
himself: that he seemed in a violent hurry, and
protested he had so much business to do, that, if he
could cut himself into four quarters, all would not
be sufficient.
“Go, child,” said Allworthy to Blifil,
“see what the gentleman wants. I am not
able to do any business now, nor can he have any with
me, in which you are not at present more concerned
than myself. Besides, I really am—I
am incapable of seeing any one at present, or of any
longer attention.” He then saluted them
all, saying, perhaps he should be able to see them
again, but he should be now glad to compose himself
a little, finding that he had too much exhausted his
spirits in discourse.
Some of the company shed tears at their parting; and
even the philosopher Square wiped his eyes, albeit
unused to the melting mood. As to Mrs Wilkins,
she dropt her pearls as fast as the Arabian trees
their medicinal gums; for this was a ceremonial which
that gentlewoman never omitted on a proper occasion.
After this Mr Allworthy again laid himself down on
his pillow, and endeavoured to compose himself to
rest.
Containing matter rather natural than pleasing.
Besides grief for her master, there was another source
for that briny stream which so plentifully rose above
the two mountainous cheek-bones of the housekeeper.
She was no sooner retired, than she began to mutter
to herself in the following pleasant strain: “Sure
master might have made some difference, methinks,
between me and the other servants. I suppose
he hath left me mourning; but, i’fackins! if
that be all, the devil shall wear it for him, for
me. I’d have his worship know I am no beggar.
I have saved five hundred pound in his service, and
after all to be used in this manner.—It
is a fine encouragement to servants to be honest;
and to be sure, if I have taken a little something
now and then, others have taken ten times as much;
and now we are all put in a lump together. If
so be that it be so, the legacy may go to the devil
with him that gave it. No, I won’t give
it up neither, because that will please some folks.
No, I’ll buy the gayest gown I can get, and
dance over the old curmudgeon’s grave in it.
This is my reward for taking his part so often, when
all the country have cried shame of him, for breeding
up his bastard in that manner; but he is going now
where he must pay for all. It would have become
him better to have repented of his sins on his deathbed,
