History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Page 7
Chapter v.
Containing a few common matters, with a very uncommon observation uponthem.
When her master was departed, Mrs Deborah stood silent, expecting hercue from Miss Bridget; for as to what had past before her master, theprudent housekeeper by no means relied upon it, as she had often knownthe sentiments of the lady in her brother's absence to differ greatlyfrom those which she had expressed in his presence. Miss Bridget didnot, however, suffer her to continue long in this doubtful situation;for having looked some time earnestly at the child, as it lay asleepin the lap of Mrs Deborah, the good lady could not forbear giving it ahearty kiss, at the same time declaring herself wonderfully pleasedwith its beauty and innocence. Mrs Deborah no sooner observed thisthan she fell to squeezing and kissing, with as great raptures assometimes inspire the sage dame of forty and five towards a youthfuland vigorous bridegroom, crying out, in a shrill voice, "O, the dearlittle creature!--The dear, sweet, pretty creature! Well, I vow it isas fine a boy as ever was seen!"
These exclamations continued till they were interrupted by the lady,who now proceeded to execute the commission given her by her brother,and gave orders for providing all necessaries for the child,appointing a very good room in the house for his nursery. Her orderswere indeed so liberal, that, had it been a child of her own, shecould not have exceeded them; but, lest the virtuous reader maycondemn her for showing too great regard to a base-born infant, towhich all charity is condemned by law as irreligious, we think properto observe that she concluded the whole with saying, "Since it was herbrother's whim to adopt the little brat, she supposed little mastermust be treated with great tenderness. For her part, she could nothelp thinking it was an encouragement to vice; but that she knew toomuch of the obstinacy of mankind to oppose any of their ridiculoushumours."
With reflections of this nature she usually, as has been hinted,accompanied every act of compliance with her brother's inclinations;and surely nothing could more contribute to heighten the merit of thiscompliance than a declaration that she knew, at the same time, thefolly and unreasonableness of those inclinations to which shesubmitted. Tacit obedience implies no force upon the will, andconsequently may be easily, and without any pains, preserved; but whena wife, a child, a relation, or a friend, performs what we desire,with grumbling and reluctance, with expressions of dislike anddissatisfaction, the manifest difficulty which they undergo mustgreatly enhance the obligation.
As this is one of those deep observations which very few readers canbe supposed capable of making themselves, I have thought proper tolend them my assistance; but this is a favour rarely to be expected inthe course of my work. Indeed, I shall seldom or never so indulge him,unless in such instances as this, where nothing but the inspirationwith which we writers are gifted, can possibly enable any one to makethe discovery.