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〃Nothing； ma〃am；〃 replied the milk…maid； 〃only I was sending away this
nasty dirty creature； who was so bold as to come asking for milk indeed！
But beggars grow so impudent now…a…days there never was the like of it。〃
〃Oh fie！〃 returned Mrs。 Flail； shocked at her inhuman way of speaking；
〃fie upon you； to speak in so unkind a manner of a poor creature in
distress。〃 Then turning to the beggar； she inquired what she wanted； in
so mild a tone of voice； that it encouraged her to speak and tell her
distress。
'Mrs。 Flail listened with the greatest attention； and could not help
being struck with her speech and appearance； for though she was clothed
in rags （having parted with all her better clothes to pay for lodging and
food） still there was a something in her language and manner which
discovered that she was no common beggar。 Betsy had stood all the time
with her eyes fixed upon the ground； scarcely once lifting them to look at
the face of Mrs。 Flail； and she was so changed herself by her troubles and
sickness； that it was impossible for any one who had ever seen Miss
Speedgo； to recollect her in her present miserable state。 Mrs。 Flail；
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
however； wanted no farther inducement to relieve her than to hear she was
in want。 〃Every fellow…creature in distress；〃 she used to say； 〃was a
proper object of her bounty； and whilst she was blessed with plenty she
thought it her duty to relieve； as far as she prudently could； all whom she
knew to be in need。〃 She therefore fetched a mug； and； filling it with milk
herself； gave it to the poor woman to drink。 〃Here；〃 said she； 〃take this；
good woman； and I hope it will refresh and be of service to you。〃 Betsy
held out her hand for it； and； lifting her eyes up to look at Mrs。 Flail；
whilst she thanked her for her kindness； was greatly astonished to discover
in her benefactress； the features of her old servant； Molly Mount。 〃Bless
me！〃 said she； with an air of confusion； 〃What do I see？ Who is it？
Where am I？ Madam； pardon my boldness； but pray forgive me； ma〃am；
but is not your name Mount？〃 〃It was；〃 replied Mrs。 Flail； 〃but I have
been married for thirteen years to a Mr。 Flail； and that is my name now。
But； pray； where did you ever see me before？ or how came you to know
anything of me？〃 Poor Betsy could return no answer； her shame at being
seen by her servant that was； in her present condition； and the
consciousness of having so ill…treated that very servant； to whose kindness
she was now indebted； all together were too much for her in her weak state；
and she fell senseless at Mrs。 Flail's feet。
'This still added to Mrs。 Flail's surprise； and she had her carried into
the house and laid upon a bed； where she used every means to bring her to
herself again； which； after a considerable time； succeeded； and she then
（covered with shame and remorse） told her who she was； and how she
came into that miserable condition。 No words can describe the
astonishment Mrs。 Flail was in； at hearing the melancholy story of her
sufferings； nor is it possible to tell with what generosity and kindness she
strove to comfort her； telling her to compose herself； for she should no
longer be in want of any thing。 〃I have； thank Heaven；〃 said she； 〃a most
worthy good man for my husband； who will rejoice with me in having it in
his power to relieve a suffering fellow…creature。 Do not； therefore； any
longer distress yourself upon what passed between us formerly。 I had；
for my part； forgotten it； if you had not now told it me； but； however I
might then take the liberty to censure you for too much haughtiness。 I
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
am sure I have no occasion to do so now。 Think no more； therefore； I
beseech you； upon those times which are now past； but be comforted； and
make yourself as happy as in my humble plain manner of living you can
possibly do。〃
'She then furnished her with some of her own clothes； till she could
procure her new ones； and sent immediately for a physician from the next
town； by following of whose prescription； together with good nursing； and
plenty of all necessaries； she soon recovered her health； but she was too
deeply affected with the thoughts of her former misconduct ever to feel
happy in her situation； though Mrs。 Flail used every method in her power
to render her as comfortable as possible。 Nor did she confine her
goodness only to this one daughter； but sent also for her sister and mother
（her father being dead）； and fitted up a neat little house for them near their
own。 But as the Flails could not afford wholly to maintain them for
nothing； they entrusted the poultry to their care； which enabled them to do
with one servant less； and by that means they could； without any great
expense； afford to give them sufficient to make their lives comfortable；
that is； as far as their own reflections would let them； for the last words
Mrs。 Speedgo said to Molly； when she parted from her； dwelt continually
upon her mind； and filled her with shame and remorse。
'〃I told her；〃 said she； 〃that she should never again come into my doors；
or eat another mouthful in my house； and now it is her bounty alone which
keeps us all from perishing。 Oh！ how unworthy are we of such goodness！
True； indeed； was what she told you； that kindness and virtue were far
more valuable than riches。 Goodness and kindness no time or change
can take from us； but riches soon fly as it were away； and then what are we
the better for having been once possessed of them？〃'
Here Mr。 John stopped； and jumping hastily up； and turning round to
Mrs。 Sally； Mrs。 Nelly； and Mr。 Bob； exclaimed； rubbing his hands
'There ladies； I have finished my story； and； let me tell you； so long
preaching has made my throat dry； so another mug of al