; by which Means the young People of both Families had
been acquainted from their Infancy; and as they were all near of the same Age,
had been frequent Play-mates together.
    The Gaiety of Tom's Temper suited better with Sophia, than the grave and
sober Disposition of Master Blifil. And the Preference which she gave the former
of these, would often appear so plainly, that a Lad of a more passionate Turn
than Master Blifil was, might have shewn some Displeasure at it.
    As he did not, however, outwardly express any such Disgust, it would be an
ill Office in us to pay a Visit to the inmost Recesses of his Mind, as some
scandalous People search into the most secret Affairs of their Friends, and
often pry into their Closets and Cupboards, only to discover their Poverty and
Meanness to the World.
    However, as Persons who suspect they have given others Cause of Offence, are
apt to conclude they are offended; so Sophia imputed an Action of Master Blifil,
to his Anger, which the superior Sagacity of Thwackum and Square discerned to
have arisen from a much better Principle.
    Tom Jones, when very young, had presented Sophia with a little Bird, which
he had taken from the Nest, had nursed up, and taught to sing.
    Of this Bird, Sophia, then about thirteen Years old, was so extremely fond,
that her chief Business was to feed and tend it, and her chief Pleasure to play
with it. By these Means little Tommy, for so the Bird was called, was become so
tame, that it would feed out of the Hand of its Mistress, would perch upon her
Finger, and lie contented in her Bosom, where it seemed almost sensible of its
own Happiness; tho' she always kept a small String about its Leg, nor would ever
trust it with the Liberty of flying away.
    One Day, when Mr. Allworthy and his whole Family, dined at Mr. Western's,
Master Blifil, being in the Garden with little Sophia, and observing the extreme
Fondness that she shewed for her little Bird, desired her to trust it for a
Moment in his Hands. Sophia presently complied with the young Gentleman's
Request, and after some previous Caution, delivered him her Bird; of which he
was no sooner in Possession, than he slipt the String from its Leg, and tossed
it into the Air.
    The foolish Animal no sooner perceived itself at Liberty, than forgetting
all the Favours it had received from Sophia, it flew directly from her, and
perched on a Bough at some Distance
