 for the space of two years, during which time I kept little or no
company, being neither in a humour to relish, nor in a capacity to maintain much
acquaintance: for the Nabal my master allowed me no wages; and the small
perquisites of my station scarce supplied me with the common necessaries of
life. - I was no longer, a pert, unthinking coxcomb, giddy with popular
applause, and elevated with the extravagance of hope; my misfortunes had taught
me how little the caresses of the world during a man's prosperity, are to be
valued by him; and how seriously and expeditiously he ought to set himself about
making himself independent of them. My present appearance, therefore, was the
least of my care, which was wholly engrossed in laying up a stock of instruction
that might secure me against the caprice of fortune for the future. I became
such a sloven, and contracted such an air of austerity, that every body
pronounced me crest-fallen; and Gawky returned to town without running any risk
from my resentment, which was by this time pretty much cooled, and restrained by
prudential reasons, so effectually, that I never so much as thought of obtaining
satisfaction for the injuries he had done me. - When I deemed myself
sufficiently master of my business, I began to cast about for an opportunity of
launching into the world, in hopes of finding some provision, that might make
amends for the difficulties I had undergone: but, as this could not be effected
without a small sum of money to equip me for the field, I was in the utmost
perplexity how to raise it, well knowing, that Crab, for his own sake, would
never put me in a condition to leave him, when his interest was so much
concerned in my stay. - But a small accident, which happened about this time,
determined him in my favour. This was no other than the pregnancy of his maid
servant, who declared her situation to me, assuring me at the same time, that I
was the occasion of it. Although I had no reason to question the truth of this
imputation, I was not ignorant of the familiarities which had passed between her
master and her; of which availing myself, I represented to her the folly of
laying the burthen at my door, when she might dispose of it to much greater
advantage with Mr. Crab: She listened to my advice, and next day acquainted him
with the pretended success of their mutual endeavour. - He was far from being
over-joyed at this proof of his vigour, which he foresaw
