Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/90

 till he had thrown ome Cloaths over his Back, and was become incapable of hocking the pure Eyes of Mrs. Deborah Wilkins, who, tho’ in the 52d Year of her Age, vowed he had never beheld a Man without his Coat. Sneerers and prophane Wits may perhaps laugh at her firt Fright, yet my graver Reader, when he coniders the Time of Night, the Summons from her Bed, and the Situation in which he found her Mater, will highly jutify and applaud her Conduct; unles the Prudence, which mut be uppoed to attend Maidens at that Period of Life at which Mrs. Deborah had arrived, hould a little leen his Admiration.

When Mrs. Deborah returned into the Room, and was acquainted by her Mater with the finding the little Infant, her Conternation was rather greater than his had been; nor could he refrain from crying out with great Horror of Accent as well as Look, ‘My good Sir! what’s to be done?’ Mr. Allworthy anwered, he mut take care of the Child that Evening, and in the Morning he would give Orders to provide it a Nure. ‘Yes, Sir,’ ays, he, ‘and I hope your Worhip will end out your Warrant to take up the Huy its Mother (for he mut be