Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/91

 one of the Neighbourhood) and I hould be glad to ee her committed too Bridewel, and whipt at the Cart’s Tail. Indeed, uch wicked Sluts cannot be too everely punihed. I’ll warrant ’tis not her firt, by her Impudence in laying it to your Worhip.’ ‘In laying it to me, Deborah,’ anwered Allworthy, ‘I can’t think he hath only taken this Method to provide for her Child; and truly I am glad he hath not done wore.’ ‘I don’t know what is wore,’ cries Deborah, ‘than for uch wicked Strumpets to lay their Sins at honet Mens Doors; and though your Worhip knows your own Innocence, yet the World is cenorious; and it hath been many an honet Man’s Hap to pas for the Father of Children he never begot; and if your Worhip hould provide for the Child, it may make the People the apter to believe: Beides, why hould your Worhip provide for what the Parih is obliged to maintain? For my own Part, if it was an honet Man’s Child indeed; but for my own part, it goes againt me to touch thee mibegotten Wretches, whom I don’t look upon as my Fellow Creatures. Faugh, how it inks! It doth not mell like a Chritian. If I might be o bold to