And here is Abigail’s response to John’s letter cataloguing her faults. Meanwhile: remember – John is STILL quarantined.
Abigail to John May 9 1764
Your Brother brought your Letter, tho he did not let me see him, deliverd it the Doctor from whom received it safe. I thank you for your Catalogue, but must confess I was so hardned as to read over most of my Faults with as much pleasure, as an other person would have read their perfections. And Lysander must excuse me if I still persist in some of them, at least till I am convinced that an alteration would contribute to his happiness. [Heh. Smart woman.] Especially may I avoid that Freedom of Behaviour which according to the plan given, consists in Violations of Decency, and which would render me unfit to Herd even with the Brutes. And permit me to tell you Sir, nor disdain to be a learner, that there is such a thing as Modesty without either Hypocrisy or Formality.
As to a neglect of Singing, that I acknowledg to be a Fault which if posible shall not be compland of a second time, nor should you have had occasion for it now, if I had not a voice harsh as the screech of a peacock.
The Capotal fault shall be rectified, tho not with any hopes of being lookd upon as a Beauty, to appear agreeable in the Eyes of Lysander, has been for Years past, and still is the height of my ambition.
The 5th fault, will endeavor to amend of it, but you know I think that a gentleman has no business to concern himself about the Leggs of a Lady, for my part I do not apprehend any bad effects from the practise, yet since you desire it, and that you may not for the future trouble Yourself so much about it, will reform.
The sixth and last can be cured only by a Dancing School.
