Chapter 2

           Mymistresshadadaughterofnineyearsold,achildoftowardlypartsforherage,verydexterousatherneedle,andskilfulindressingherbaby.Hermotherandshecontrivedtofitupthebaby’scradleformeagainstnight:thecradlewasputintoasmalldrawerofacabinet,andthedrawerplaceduponahangingshelfforfearoftherats.ThiswasmybedallthetimeIstaidwiththosepeople,thoughmademoreconvenientbydegrees,asIbegantolearntheirlanguageandmakemywantsknown.Thisyounggirlwassohandy,thatafterIhadonceortwicepulledoffmyclothesbeforeher,shewasabletodressandundressme,thoughInevergaveherthattroublewhenshewouldletmedoeithermyself.Shemademesevenshirts,andsomeotherlinen,ofasfineclothascouldbegot,whichindeedwascoarserthansackcloth;andthesesheconstantlywashedformewithherownhands.Shewaslikewisemyschool-mistress,toteachmethelanguage:whenIpointedtoanything,shetoldmethenameofitinherowntongue,sothatinafewdaysIwasabletocallforwhateverIhadamindto.Shewasverygood-natured,andnotabovefortyfeethigh,beinglittleforherage.ShegavemethenameofGrildrig,whichthefamilytookup,andafterwardsthewholekingdom.ThewordimportswhattheLatinscallnanunculus,theItalianshomunceletino,andtheEnglishmannikin.ToherIchieflyowemypreservationinthatcountry:weneverpartedwhileIwasthere;IcalledhermyGlumdalclitch,orlittlenurse;andshouldbeguiltyofgreatingratitude,ifIomittedthishonourablementionofhercareandaffectiontowardsme,whichIheartilywishitlayinmypowertorequiteasshedeserves,insteadofbeingtheinnocent,butunhappyinstrumentofherdisgrace,asIhavetoomuchreasontofear.

           Itnowbegantobeknownandtalkedofintheneighbourhood,thatmymasterhadfoundastrangeanimalinthefield,aboutthebignessofasplacnuck,butexactlyshapedineverypartlikeahumancreature;