72 THE HISTORY OF

just washed and finished, to the Captain’s lodg-
ings, and to ask for the money.

When I heard this command, I stvod for
some moments silent; at last, I said, “ Pray
pardon me, my good mistress, but I must, for
once, refuse to obey you.”

‘At your peril,” said she; “go this moment, or
(and she said a very bad word) I turn you out of
doors: go, and bring the money back with you.”

‘“‘ To-morrow,” I answered, endeavouring to
speak gently, “you will go to town early, and,
as the Captain is not in a very great hurry for
the linen, it would then be time enough for you
to take it, and ask for the money.”

She called me some very bad names, and,
raising her hand, said, ‘‘ Am I to fetch and
carry at your command? Go you shall, or to
bridewell you shall be sent.”

I trembled so that I was obliged to sit
down, for I was unable to stand; but I made
no answer,

“ Are you obstinate? do you refuse to obey
me still?” asked she, stooping down, and put-
ting her face, flaming almost with rage, close
to mine; “ will you go, girl?”

I still was silent.

«You shall go; by heaven you shall go,”
said she, dragging me up by the arm, and
offering me the basket.

I refused to take the basket in my hand.
She struck me on the cheek, at the same time
using a most shocking oath.

I raised my hands and eyes to heaven, and
said, “God have mercy on me.”