and then pale. "Never farther from Nonsense," says _Father_, "for 'tis
to be, and by the Ende of the Month too." "You are bantering me, Mr.
_Powell_," says _Mother_. "How can you suppose soe, my Deare?" says
_Father_, "you doe me Injustice." "Why, _Moll_!" cries _Mother_,
turning sharplie towards me, as I sate mute and fearfulle, "what is
alle this, Child? You cannot, you dare not think of wedding this
round-headed Puritan." "Not round-headed," sayd I, trembling; "his
Haire is as long and curled as mine." "Don't bandy Words with me,
Girl," says _Mother_ passionatelie, "see how unfit you are to have a
House of your owne, who cannot be left in Charge of your _Father's_ for
a Fortnighte, without falling into Mischiefe!" "I won't have _Moll_
chidden in that Way," says _Father_, "she has fallen into noe
Mischiefe, and has beene a discreete and dutifull Child." "Then it has
beene alle your doing," says _Mother_, "and you have forced the Child
into this Match." "Noe Forcing whatever," says _Father_, "they like
one another, and I am very glad of it, for it happens to be very
convenient." "Convenient, indeed," repeats _Mother_, and falls a
weeping. Thereon I must needs weepe too, but she says, "Begone to Bed;
there is noe Neede that you shoulde sit by to heare your owne _Father_
confesse what a Fool he has beene."

To my Bedroom I have come, but cannot yet seek my Bed; the more as I
still heare theire Voices in Contention below.

_Tuesday_.

This Morninge's Breakfaste was moste uncomfortable, I feeling like a
checkt Child, scarce minding to looke up or to eat. _Mother_, with
Eyes red and swollen, scarce speaking save to the Children; _Father_
directing his Discourse chieflie to _Dick_, concerning Farm Matters and
the Rangership of _Shotover_, tho' 'twas easie to see his Mind was not
with them. Soe soone as alle had dispersed to theire customed Taskes,
and I was loitering at the Window, _Father_ calls aloud to me from his
Studdy. Thither I go, and find him and _Mother_, she sitting with her
Back to both. "_Moll_," says _Father_, with great Determination, "you
have accepted Mr. _Milton_ to please yourself, you will marry him out
of hand to please me." "Spare me, spare me, Mr. _Powell_," interrupts
_Mother_, "if the Engagement may not be broken off, at the least
precipitate it not with this indecent haste. Postpone it till----"
"Till when?" says _Father_. "Till the Child is olde enough to know her
owne M