Abigail to John: “be to me a second conscience”

This is Abigail’s teasing response to John’s teasing letter below.

Abigail to John Thursday Eve April th 19 1764

Why my good Man, thou hast the curiosity of a Girl. Who could have believed that only a slight hint would have set thy imagination a gig in such a manner. And a fine encouragement I have to unravel the Mistery as thou callest it. Nothing less truly than to be told Something to my disadvantage. What an excellent reward that will be? In what Court of justice did’st thou learn that equity?… As to the insinuation, it doth not give me any uneasiness, for if it is any thing very bad, I know thou does not believe it …

But altho it is vastly disagreeable to be accused of faults, yet no person ought to be offended when such accusations are delivered in the Spirit of Friendship. — I now call upon you to fulfill your promise, and tell me all my faults, both of omission and commision, and all the Evil you either know, or think of me, be to me a second conscience, nor put me off to a more convenient Season. There can be no time more proper than the present, it will be harder to erase them when habit has strengthened and confirmd them.

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