This gave Sir Jasper his opening.
“Why,” said he, “’tis a monstrous pity such a monstrous fine girl as you should have to work for her living. The moment I set eyes on you this morning, said I to myself——”
Pamela interrupted:
“Keep your pity and your compliments, sir. They’re wasted on me.”
“Why, how now, I like your spirit. I vow, my dear, ’tis you are wasted on such a life.”
“What if I like my work, sir?”
“You were born to wear ’em—the fine hats—not to make ’em. You were born to be a lady, that’s what I said to myself the moment I clapped eyes on you this morning.”
“Foh! I know ’tis gentlemen’s way to start this kind of silly talk whenever they get with a poor girl, but I assure you, sir, I’ve no relish for it. And as for my being a lady, I’ve seen too much of gentlefolk. I wouldn’t thank the Lord to ha’ made me one.”
She spoke with her head up and a straight back.
“’Tis but gentlemen’s way,” she repeated to herself; “but I’ll let him see he’ll have to respect me, lady or no lady.”