“Sir,” answered Adams, “I am a clergyman, at your service; but as to that young man, whom you have rightly termed honest, he is at present in nobody’s service; he never lived in any other family than that of Lady Booby, from whence he was discharged; I assure you, for no crime.”

The modest behaviour of Joseph, with the character which Adams gave of him, entirely cured a jealousy which had lately been in the gentleman’s mind that Fanny was the daughter of some person of fashion and that Joseph had run away with her, and Adams was concerned in the plot.  Having had a full account from Adams of Joseph’s history he became enamoured of his guests, drank their healths with great cheerfulness; and, at the parson’s request, told something of his own life.

“Sir,” says Adams, at the conclusion of the history, “fortune has, I think, paid you all her debts in this sweet retirement.”

“Sir,” replied the gentleman, whose name was Wilson, “I have the best of wives and three pretty children; but within three years of my arrival here I lost my eldest son.  If he had died I could have borne the loss with patience; but, alas, he was stolen away from my door by some wicked travelling people, whom they call gypsies; nor could I ever, with the most diligent search, recover him.  Poor child, he had the sweetest look!  The exact picture of his mother!” Mr. Wilson went on to say that he should know his son amongst ten thousand, for he had a mark on his breast of a strawberry.

IV.—­Joseph Finds his Father

Our travellers, having well refreshed themselves at Mr. Wilson’s house, renewed their journey next morning with great alacrity, and two days later reached the parish they were seeking.

The people flocked about Parson Adams like children round a parent; and the parson, on his side, shook every one by the hand.  Nor did Joseph and Fanny want a hearty welcome from all who saw them.  Adams carried his fellow-travellers home to his house, where he insisted on their partaking whatever his wife could provide, and on the very next Sunday he published, for the first time, the banns of marriage between Joseph Andrews and Fanny Goodwill.

Lady Booby, who was now at her country seat again, was furious when she heard in church these banns called, and at once sent for Mr. Adams, and rated him soundly.

“It is my orders that you publish these banns no more, and if you dare, I will recommend it to your master, the rector, to discard you from his service,” says my lady.  “The fellow Andrews is a vagabond, and shall not settle here and bring a nest of beggars into the parish.”

“Madam,” answered Adams, “I know not what your ladyship means by the terms ‘master’ and ‘service.’  I am in the service of a Master who will never discard me for doing my duty; and if the rector thinks proper to turn me from my cure, God will provide me, I hope, another.”