While she was so employed, a young gentleman, about ten years of
age, very genteelly dressed, entered the room, and in a familiar
manner asked her how she did. 'I am very well, thank you, my
dear,' replied she: 'and pray, Master George, how does your mamma
and papa do; and all your brothers and sisters?' 'They are all
very well, thank you,' returned the boy: 'And I am come to bring
you a slice of cake, which my grandpapa gave me yesterday.' Then
throwing his arms round her neck, he went on saying, 'Oh! my dear,
dear Betty Flood, how I do love you! I would do anything in the
world to serve you. I shall save all my Christmas-boxes to give
to you; and when I am a man, I will give you a great deal of
money. I wish you were a lady, and not so poor.' 'I am much
obliged to you, my dear,' said she, 'for your kind good-wishes;
but, indeed, love, I am very well contented with my station: I
have a good husband, and three good children, and that is more
than many a lady can say; and riches, Master George, unless people
are good, and those one lives with are kind and obliging, will
never make anybody happy. What comfort, now, do you think a body
could ever have at Squire Stately's? I declare, if it was put to
my choice, I would rather a thousand times be as I am. To be
sure, they are very rich; but what of that? they cannot eat gold;
neither can gold ease their hearts when they are bursting almost
with pride and ill-nature. They say, indeed, that Madam Stately
would be kind enough, if they would let her rest; but what with
the Squire's drinking and swearing, and the young gentleman's
extravagance, and her daughter's pride and quarrelling, she is
almost tired out of her life. And so, Master George, I say I had
rather be poor Betty Flood, with honest Abraham for my husband,
than the finest lady in the land, if I must live at such a rate.