August 5.—
I have been obliged to turn
away my poor Ellen. She was so imprudent
as to receive a letter for me from
Mr. Faulkland's man, contrary to my
mother's express commands. She brought
it to me, and I gave it to my mother unopened;
who put it directly into the fire
without reading it, and told me it would
oblige her, if I would part with the servant
who had presumed to take it after her
prohibition. I instantly obeyed, and have
just discharged her. I should have a sad
loss of her, only I am in hopes of having
her place well supplied by an old acquaintance
and play-fellow of ours, poor
Patty Main; her father is dead, and she
is obliged to go to service, for he has left
a widow with six children. The eldest
son, you remember, served his time to his
father, and is just now setting out in
business; but a young surgeon in a country
town must take some time to establish
himself; though he is a very worthy youth,
and I hear clever in his profession.
Patty came to town last week with a
lady from our neighbourhood, who applied
to my mother to recommend the
girl to wait on some person of fashion.
My mother has been looking out for a
suitable place for her; but she told me today,
she thought I could not do better
than take her to myself; I shall be very
glad to have her, for she is an amiable
young woman.
