"The captain's views as to the nature of a fortune may be limited. What is your fortune?"
"There are ships, and lands, and houses. I know not how many of each. And I believe there is money, but I know not how much."
"Strange! Is it in such a house that an heiress should be brought up? Have you servants of your own?"
"I have my black woman, Nigra."
"Humph! Have you a coach? or a chair? or a harpsichord?"
"I have none of these things."
"Have you friends among the gentlefolk? Who are the people that you visit?"
"There are no gentlefolk in Lynn. I know the vicar and the curate of St. Nicholas and their families, and the schoolmaster and his son."
"And the parish clerk, I suppose; and the man who plays the organ. Have you been educated?"
Molly blushed. "The captain says that I have had the best education possible for a woman. I can read and write and cast up accounts; and I can make cakes and puddings, and brew the beer and make the cordials; and I can embroider and sew."