第11章

\'Now，Pa，attendtowhatIamgoingtosay，andpromiseandvowtobeobedient。\'

\'Ipromiseandvow，mydear。\'

\'Youasknoquestions。Youtakethispurse；yougotothenearestplacewheretheykeepeverythingoftheveryverybest，readymade；youbuyandputon，themostbeautifulsuitofclothes，themostbeautifulhat，andthemostbeautifulpairofbrightboots(patentleather，Pa，mind！)thataretobegotformoney；andyoucomebacktome。\'

\'But，mydearBella——\'

\'Takecare，Pa！\'pointingherforefingerathim，merrily。\'Youhavepromisedandvowed。It\'sperjury，youknow。\'

Therewaswaterinthefoolishlittlefellow\'seyes，butshekissedthemdry(thoughherownwerewet)，andhebobbedawayagain。

Afterhalfanhour，hecameback，sobrilliantlytransformed，thatBellawasobligedtowalkroundhiminecstaticadmirationtwentytimes，beforeshecoulddrawherarmthroughhis，anddelightedlysqueezeit。

\'Now，Pa，\'saidBella，hugginghimclose，\'takethislovelywomanouttodinner。\'

\'Whereshallwego，mydear?\'

\'Greenwich！\'saidBella，valiantly。\'Andbesureyoutreatthislovelywomanwitheverythingofthebest。\'

Whiletheyweregoingalongtotakeboat，\'Don\'tyouwish，mydear，\'saidR。W。，timidly，\'thatyourmotherwashere?\'

\'No，Idon\'t，Pa，forIliketohaveyoualltomyselfto-day。Iwasalwaysyourlittlefavouriteathome，andyouwerealwaysmine。

Wehaverunawaytogetheroften，beforenow；haven\'twe，Pa?\'

\'Ah，tobesurewehave！ManyaSundaywhenyourmotherwas——

wasalittleliabletoit，\'repeatinghisformerdelicateexpressionafterpausingtocough。

\'Yes，andIamafraidIwasseldomorneverasgoodasIoughttohavebeen，Pa。Imadeyoucarryme，overandoveragain，whenyoushouldhavemademewalk；andIoftendroveyouinharness，whenyouwouldmuchratherhavesatdownandreadyournews-

paper:didn\'tI?\'

\'Sometimes，sometimes。ButLor，whatachildyouwere！Whatacompanionyouwere！\'

\'Companion?That\'sjustwhatIwanttobeto-day，Pa。\'

\'Youaresafetosucceed，mylove。Yourbrothersandsistershaveallintheirturnsbeencompanionstome，toacertainextent，butonlytoacertainextent。Yourmotherhas，throughoutlife，beenacompanionthatanymanmight——mightlookupto——and——andcommitthesayingsof，tomemory——and——formhimselfupon——ifhe——\'

\'Ifhelikedthemodel?\'suggestedBella。

\'We-ell，ye-es，\'hereturned，thinkingaboutit，notquitesatisfiedwiththephrase:\'orperhapsImightsay，ifitwasinhim。

Supposing，forinstance，thatamanwantedtobealwaysmarching，hewouldfindyourmotheraninestimablecompanion。Butifhehadanytasteforwalking，orshouldwishatanytimetobreakintoatrot，hemightsometimesfinditalittledifficulttokeepstepwithyourmother。Ortakeitthisway，Bella，\'headded，afteramoment\'sreflection；\'Supposingthatamanhadtogothroughlife，wewon\'tsaywithacompanion，butwe\'llsaytoatune。Verygood。SupposingthatthetuneallottedtohimwastheDeadMarchinSaul。Well。Itwouldbeaverysuitabletuneforparticularoccasions——nonebetter——butitwouldbedifficulttokeeptimewithintheordinaryrunofdomestictransactions。Forinstance，ifhetookhissupperafterahardday，totheDeadMarchinSaul，hisfoodmightbelikelytositheavyonhim。Or，ifhewasatanytimeinclinedtorelievehismindbysingingacomicsongordancingahornpipe，andwasobligedtodoittotheDeadMarchinSaul，hemightfindhimselfputoutintheexecutionofhislivelyintentions。\'

\'PoorPa！\'thoughtBella，asshehunguponhisarm。

\'Now，whatIwillsayforyou，mydear，\'thecherubpursuedmildlyandwithoutanotionofcomplaining，\'is，thatyouaresoadaptable。

Soadaptable。\'

\'IndeedIamafraidIhaveshownawretchedtemper，Pa。IamafraidIhavebeenverycomplaining，andverycapricious。I

seldomorneverthoughtofitbefore。ButwhenIsatinthecarriagejustnowandsawyoucomingalongthepavement，I

reproachedmyself。\'

\'Notatall，mydear。Don\'tspeakofsuchathing。\'

AhappyandachattymanwasPainhisnewclothesthatday。

Takeitforallinall，itwasperhapsthehappiestdayhehadeverknowninhislife；notevenexceptingthatonwhichhisheroicpartnerhadapproachedthenuptialaltartothetuneoftheDeadMarchinSaul。

Thelittleexpeditiondowntheriverwasdelightful，andthelittleroomoverlookingtheriverintowhichtheywereshownfordinnerwasdelightful。Everythingwasdelightful。Theparkwasdelightful，thepunchwasdelightful，thedishesoffishweredelightful，thewinewasdelightful。Bellawasmoredelightfulthananyotheriteminthefestival；drawingPaoutinthegayestmanner；makingapointofalwaysmentioningherselfasthelovelywoman；stimulatingPatoorderthings，bydeclaringthatthelovelywomaninsistedonbeingtreatedwiththem；andinshortcausingPatobequiteenrapturedwiththeconsiderationthatheWASthePaofsuchacharmingdaughter。

Andthen，astheysatlookingattheshipsandsteamboatsmakingtheirwaytotheseawiththetidethatwasrunningdown，thelovelywomanimaginedallsortsofvoyagesforherselfandPa。

Now，Pa，inthecharacterofownerofalumberingsquare-sailedcollier，wastackingawaytoNewcastle，tofetchblackdiamondstomakehisfortunewith；now，PawasgoingtoChinainthathandsomethreemastedship，tobringhomeopium，withwhichhewouldforevercutoutChickseyVeneeringandStobbles，andtobringhomesilksandshawlswithoutendforthedecorationofhischarmingdaughter。Now，JohnHarmon\'sdisastrousfatewasalladream，andhehadcomehomeandfoundthelovelywomanjustthearticleforhim，andthelovelywomanhadfoundhimjustthearticleforher，andtheyweregoingawayonatrip，intheirgallantbark，tolookaftertheirvines，withstreamersflyingatallpoints，abandplayingondeckandPaestablishedinthegreatcabin。Now，JohnHarmonwasconsignedtohisgraveagain，andamerchantofimmensewealth(nameunknown)hadcourtedandmarriedthelovelywoman，andhewassoenormouslyrichthateverythingyousawupontheriversailingorsteamingbelongedtohim，andhekeptaperfectfleetofyachtsforpleasure，andthatlittleimpudentyachtwhichyousawoverthere，withthegreatwhitesail，wascalledTheBella，inhonourofhiswife，andsheheldherstateaboardwhenitpleasedher，likeamodernCleopatra。Anon，therewouldembarkinthattroop-shipwhenshegottoGravesend，amightygeneral，oflargeproperty(namealsounknown)，whowouldn\'thearofgoingtovictorywithouthiswife，andwhosewifewasthelovelywoman，andshewasdestinedtobecometheidolofalltheredcoatsandbluejacketsalowandaloft。Andthenagain:

yousawthatshipbeingtowedoutbyasteam-tug?Well！wheredidyousupposeshewasgoingto?Shewasgoingamongthecoralreefsandcocoa-nutsandallthatsortofthing，andshewascharteredforafortunateindividualofthenameofPa(himselfonboard，andmuchrespectedbyallhands)，andshewasgoing，forhissoleprofitandadvantage，tofetchacargoofsweet-smellingwoods，themostbeautifulthateverwereseen，andthemostprofitablethateverwereheardof；andhercargowouldbeagreatfortune，asindeeditoughttobe:thelovelywomanwhohadpurchasedherandfittedherexpresslyforthisvoyage，beingmarriedtoanIndianPrince，whowasaSomething-or-Other，andwhoworeCashmereshawlsalloverhimselfanddiamondsandemeraldsblazinginhisturban，andwasbeautifullycoffee-

colouredandexcessivelydevoted，thoughalittletoojealous。

ThusBellaranonmerrily，inamannerperfectlyenchantingtoPa，whowasaswillingtoputhisheadintotheSultan\'stubofwaterasthebeggar-boysbelowthewindowweretoputTHEIRheadsinthemud。

\'Isuppose，mydear，\'saidPaafterdinner，\'wemaycometotheconclusionathome，thatwehavelostyouforgood?\'

Bellashookherhead。Didn\'tknow。Couldn\'tsay。Allshewasabletoreportwas，thatshewasmosthandsomelysuppliedwitheverythingshecouldpossiblywant，andthatwhenevershehintedatleavingMrandMrsBoffin，theywouldn\'thearofit。

\'Andnow，Pa，\'pursuedBella，\'I\'llmakeaconfessiontoyou。Iamthemostmercenarylittlewretchthateverlivedintheworld。\'

\'Ishouldhardlyhavethoughtitofyou，mydear，\'returnedherfather，firstglancingathimself；andthenatthedessert。

\'Iunderstandwhatyoumean，Pa，butit\'snotthat。It\'snotthatI

careformoneytokeepasmoney，butIdocaresomuchforwhatitwillbuy！\'

\'ReallyIthinkmostofusdo，\'returnedR。W。

\'ButnottothedreadfulextentthatIdo，Pa。O-o！\'criedBella，screwingtheexclamationoutofherselfwithatwistofherdimpledchin。\'IAMsomercenary！\'

WithawistfulglanceR。W。said，indefaultofhavinganythingbettertosay:\'Aboutwhendidyoubegintofeelitcomingon，mydear?\'

\'That\'sit，Pa。That\'stheterriblepartofit。WhenIwasathome，andonlyknewwhatitwastobepoor，Igrumbledbutdidn\'tsomuchmind。WhenIwasathomeexpectingtoberich，IthoughtvaguelyofallthegreatthingsIwoulddo。ButwhenIhadbeendisappointedofmysplendidfortune，andcametoseeitfromdaytodayinotherhands，andtohavebeforemyeyeswhatitcouldreallydo，thenIbecamethemercenarylittlewretchIam。\'

\'It\'syourfancy，mydear。\'

\'Icanassureyouit\'snothingofthesort，Pa！\'saidBella，noddingathim，withherveryprettyeyebrowsraisedashighastheywouldgo，andlookingcomicallyfrightened。\'It\'safact。Iamalwaysavariciouslyscheming。\'

\'Lor！Buthow?\'

\'I\'lltellyou，Pa。Idon\'tmindtellingYOU，becausewehavealwaysbeenfavouritesofeachother\'s，andbecauseyouarenotlikeaPa，butmorelikeasortofayoungerbrotherwithadearvenerablechubbinessonhim。Andbesides，\'addedBella，laughingasshepointedarallyingfingerathisface，\'becauseIhavegotyouinmypower。Thisisasecretexpedition。Ifeveryoutellofme，I\'lltellofyou。I\'lltellMathatyoudinedatGreenwich。\'

\'Well；seriously，mydear，\'observedR。W。，withsometrepidationofmanner，\'itmightbeaswellnottomentionit。\'

\'Aha！\'laughedBella。\'Iknewyouwouldn\'tlikeit，sir！Soyoukeepmyconfidence，andI\'llkeepyours。Butbetraythelovelywoman，andyoushallfindheraserpent。Now，youmaygivemeakiss，Pa，andIshouldliketogiveyourhairaturn，becauseithasbeendreadfullyneglectedinmyabsence。\'

R。W。submittedhisheadtotheoperator，andtheoperatorwentontalking；atthesametimeputtingseparatelocksofhishairthroughacuriousprocessofbeingsmartlyrolledoverhertworevolvingforefingers，whichwerethensuddenlypulledoutofitinoppositelateraldirections。Oneachoftheseoccasionsthepatientwincedandwinked。

\'IhavemadeupmymindthatImusthavemoney，Pa。IfeelthatI

can\'tbegit，borrowit，orstealit；andsoIhaveresolvedthatI

mustmarryit。\'

R。W。castuphiseyestowardsher，aswellashecouldundertheoperatingcircumstances，andsaidinatoneofremonstrance，\'Myde-arBella！\'

\'Haveresolved，Isay，Pa，thattogetmoneyImustmarrymoney。

Inconsequenceofwhich，Iamalwayslookingoutformoneytocaptivate。\'

\'Myde-a-rBella！\'

\'Yes，Pa，thatisthestateofthecase。Ifevertherewasamercenaryplotterwhosethoughtsanddesignswerealwaysinhermeanoccupation，Iamtheamiablecreature。ButIdon\'tcare。I

hateanddetestbeingpoor，andIwon\'tbepoorifIcanmarrymoney。Nowyouaredeliciouslyfluffy，Pa，andinastatetoastonishthewaiterandpaythebill。\'

\'But，mydearBella，thisisquitealarmingatyourage。\'

\'Itoldyouso，Pa，butyouwouldn\'tbelieveit，\'returnedBella，withapleasantchildishgravity。\'Isn\'titshocking?\'

\'Itwouldbequiteso，ifyoufullyknewwhatyousaid，mydear，ormeantit。\'

\'Well，Pa，IcanonlytellyouthatImeannothingelse。Talktomeoflove！\'saidBella，contemptuously:thoughherfaceandfigurecertainlyrenderedthesubjectnoincongruousone。\'Talktomeoffierydragons！Buttalktomeofpovertyandwealth，andthereindeedwetouchuponrealities。\'

\'MyDe-ar，thisisbecomingAwful——\'herfatherwasemphaticallybeginning:whenshestoppedhim。

\'Pa，tellme。Didyoumarrymoney?\'

\'YouknowIdidn\'t，mydear。\'

BellahummedtheDeadMarchinSaul，andsaid，afterallitsignifiedverylittle！Butseeinghimlookgraveanddowncast，shetookhimroundtheneckandkissedhimbacktocheerfulnessagain。

\'Ididn\'tmeanthatlasttouch，Pa；itwasonlysaidinjoke。Nowmind！Youarenottotellofme，andI\'llnottellofyou。Andmorethanthat；Ipromisetohavenosecretsfromyou，Pa，andyoumaymakecertainthat，whatevermercenarythingsgoon，Ishallalwaystellyouallabouttheminstrictconfidence。\'

Faintobesatisfiedwiththisconcessionfromthelovelywoman，R。W。rangthebell，andpaidthebill。\'Now，alltherestofthis，Pa，\'saidBella，rollingupthepursewhentheywerealoneagain，hammeringitsmallwithherlittlefistonthetable，andcrammingitintooneofthepocketsofhisnewwaistcoat，\'isforyou，tobuypresentswithforthemathome，andtopaybillswith，andtodivideasyoulike，andspendexactlyasyouthinkproper。Lastofalltakenotice，Pa，thatit\'snotthefruitofanyavariciousscheme。

Perhapsifitwas，yourlittlemercenarywretchofadaughterwouldn\'tmakesofreewithit！\'

Afterwhich，shetuggedathiscoatwithbothhands，andpulledhimallaskewinbuttoningthatgarmentoverthepreciouswaistcoatpocket，andthentiedherdimplesintoherbonnet-stringsinaveryknowingway，andtookhimbacktoLondon。ArrivedatMrBoffin\'sdoor，shesethimwithhisbackagainstit，tenderlytookhimbytheearsasconvenienthandlesforherpurpose，andkissedhimuntilheknockedmuffleddoubleknocksatthedoorwiththebackofhishead。Thatdone，sheoncemoreremindedhimoftheircompactandgailypartedfromhim。

Notsogaily，however，butthattearsfilledhereyesashewentawaydownthedarkstreet。Notsogaily，butthatsheseveraltimessaid，\'Ah，poorlittlePa！Ah，poordearstrugglingshabbylittlePa！\'beforeshetookhearttoknockatthedoor。Notsogaily，butthatthebrilliantfurnitureseemedtostareheroutofcountenanceasifitinsistedonbeingcomparedwiththedingyfurnitureathome。Notsogaily，butthatshefellintoverylowspiritssittinglateinherownroom，andveryheartilywept，asshewished，nowthatthedeceasedoldJohnHarmonhadnevermadeawillabouther，nowthatthedeceasedyoungJohnHarmonhadlivedtomarryher。\'Contradictorythingstowish，\'saidBella，\'butmylifeandfortunesaresocontradictoryaltogetherthatwhatcanIexpectmyselftobe！\'

Chapter9

INWHICHTHEORPHANMAKESHISWILL

TheSecretary，workingintheDismalSwampbetimesnextmorning，wasinformedthatayouthwaitedinthehallwhogavethenameofSloppy。Thefootmanwhocommunicatedthisintelligencemadeadecentpausebeforeutteringthename，toexpressthatitwasforcedonhisreluctancebytheyouthinquestion，andthatiftheyouthhadhadthegoodsenseandgoodtastetoinheritsomeothernameitwouldhavesparedthefeelingsofhimthebearer。

\'MrsBoffinwillbeverywellpleased，\'saidtheSecretaryinaperfectlycomposedway。\'Showhimin。\'

MrSloppybeingintroduced，remainedclosetothedoor:revealinginvariouspartsofhisformmanysurprising，confounding，andincomprehensiblebuttons。

\'Iamgladtoseeyou，\'saidJohnRokesmith，inacheerfultoneofwelcome。\'Ihavebeenexpectingyou。\'

Sloppyexplainedthathehadmeanttocomebefore，butthattheOrphan(ofwhomhemadementionasOurJohnny)hadbeenailing，andhehadwaitedtoreporthimwell。

\'Thenheiswellnow?\'saidtheSecretary。

\'Noheain\'t，\'saidSloppy。

MrSloppyhavingshakenhisheadtoaconsiderableextent，proceededtoremarkthathethoughtJohnny\'musthavetook\'emfromtheMinders。\'Beingaskedwhathemeant，heanswered，themthatcomeoutuponhimandparticklerhischest。Beingrequestedtoexplainhimself，hestatedthattherewassomeof\'emwotyoucouldn\'tkiverwithasixpence。Pressedtofallbackuponanominativecase，heopinedthattheywosaboutasredaseverredcouldbe。\'Butaslongastheystrikesout\'ards，sir，\'continuedSloppy，\'theyain\'tsomuch。It\'stheirstrikingin\'ardsthat\'stobekepoff。\'

JohnRokesmithhopedthechildhadhadmedicalattendance?Ohyes，saidSloppy，hehadbeentooktothedoctor\'sshoponce。Andwhatdidthedoctorcallit?Rokesmithaskedhim。Aftersomeperplexedreflection，Sloppyanswered，brightening，\'Hecalleditsomethingaswoswerylongforspots。\'Rokesmithsuggestedmeasles。\'No，\'saidSloppywithconfidence，\'eversomuchlongerthanTHEM，sir！\'(MrSloppywaselevatedbythisfact，andseemedtoconsiderthatitreflectedcreditonthepoorlittlepatient。)

\'MrsBoffinwillbesorrytohearthis，\'saidRokesmith。

\'MrsHigdensaidso，sir，whenshekepitfromher，hopingasOurJohnnywouldworkround。\'

\'ButIhopehewill?\'saidRokesmith，withaquickturnuponthemessenger。

\'Ihopeso，\'answeredSloppy。\'Italldependsontheirstrikingin\'ards。\'HethenwentontosaythatwhetherJohnnyhad\'took\'em\'fromtheMinders，orwhethertheMindershad\'tookemfromJohnny，theMindershadbeensenthomeandhad\'gotem。

Furthermore，thatMrsHigden\'sdaysandnightsbeingdevotedtoOurJohnny，whowasneveroutofherlap，thewholeofthemanglingarrangementshaddevolveduponhimself，andhehadhad\'raytheratighttime\'。Theungainlypieceofhonestybeamedandblushedashesaidit，quiteenrapturedwiththeremembranceofhavingbeenserviceable。

\'Lastnight，\'saidSloppy，\'whenIwasa-turningatthewheelprettylate，themangleseemedtogolikeOurJohnny\'sbreathing。Itbegunbeautiful，thenasitwentoutitshookalittleandgotunsteady，thenasittooktheturntocomehomeithadarattle-likeandlumberedabit，thenitcomesmooth，andsoitwentontillI

scarceknow\'dwhichwasmangleandwhichwasOurJohnny。NorOurJohnny，hescarceknow\'deither，forsometimeswhenthemanglelumbershesays，“Mechoking，Granny！“andMrsHigdenholdshimupinherlapandsaystome“Bideabit，Sloppy，“andweallstopstogether。AndwhenOurJohnnygetshisbreathingagain，Iturnsagain，andweallgoesontogether。\'

Sloppyhadgraduallyexpandedwithhisdescriptionintoastareandavacantgrin。Henowcontracted，beingsilent，intoahalf-

repressedgushoftears，and，underpretenceofbeingheated，drewtheunderpartofhissleeveacrosshiseyeswithasingularlyawkward，laborious，androundaboutsmear。

\'Thisisunfortunate，\'saidRokesmith。\'ImustgoandbreakittoMrsBoffin。Stayyouhere，Sloppy。\'

Sloppystayedthere，staringatthepatternofthepaperonthewall，untiltheSecretaryandMrsBoffincamebacktogether。AndwithMrsBoffinwasayounglady(MissBellaWilferbyname)whowasbetterworthstaringat，itoccurredtoSloppy，thanthebestofwall-papering。

\'Ah，mypoordearprettylittleJohnHarmon！\'exclaimedMrsBoffin。

\'Yesmum，\'saidthesympatheticSloppy。

\'Youdon\'tthinkheisinavery，verybadway，doyou?\'askedthepleasantcreaturewithherwholesomecordiality。

Putuponhisgoodfaith，andfindingitincollisionwithhisinclinations，Sloppythrewbackhisheadandutteredamellifluoushowl，roundedoffwithasniff。

\'Sobadasthat！\'criedMrsBoffin。\'AndBettyHigdennottotellmeofitsooner！\'

\'Ithinkshemighthavebeenmistrustful，mum，\'answeredSloppy，hesitating。

\'Ofwhat，forHeaven\'ssake?\'

\'Ithinkshemighthavebeenmistrustful，mum，\'returnedSloppywithsubmission，\'ofstandinginOurJohnny\'slight。There\'ssomuchtroubleinillness，andsomuchexpense，andshe\'sseensuchalotofitsbeingobjectedto。\'

\'Butshenevercanhavethought，\'saidMrsBoffin，\'thatIwouldgrudgethedearchildanything?\'

\'Nomum，butshemighthavethought(asahabit-like)ofitsstandinginJohnny\'slight，andmighthavetriedtobringhimthroughitunbeknownst。\'

Sloppyknewhisgroundwell。Toconcealherselfinsickness，likealoweranimal；tocreepoutofsightandcoilherselfawayanddie；

hadbecomethiswoman\'sinstinct。Tocatchupinherarmsthesickchildwhowasdeartoher，andhideitasifitwereacriminal，andkeepoffallministrationbutsuchasherownignoranttendernessandpatiencecouldsupply，hadbecomethiswoman\'sideaofmaternallove，fidelity，andduty。Theshamefulaccountsweread，everyweekintheChristianyear，mylordsandgentlemenandhonourableboards，theinfamousrecordsofsmallofficialinhumanity，donotpassbythepeopleastheypassbyus。

Andhencetheseirrational，blind，andobstinateprejudices，soastonishingtoourmagnificence，andhavingnomorereasoninthem——GodsavetheQueenandConfoundtheirpolitics——no，thansmokehasincomingfromfire！

\'It\'snotarightplaceforthepoorchildtostayin，\'saidMrsBoffin。

\'Tellus，dearMrRokesmith，whattodoforthebest。\'

Hehadalreadythoughtwhattodo，andtheconsultationwasveryshort。Hecouldpavetheway，hesaid，inhalfanhour，andthentheywouldgodowntoBrentford。\'Praytakeme，\'saidBella。

Thereforeacarriagewasordered，ofcapacitytotakethemall，andinthemeantimeSloppywasregaled，feastingaloneintheSecretary\'sroom，withacompleterealizationofthatfairyvision——

meat，beer，vegetables，andpudding。Inconsequenceofwhichhisbuttonsbecamemoreimportunateofpublicnoticethanbefore，withtheexceptionoftwoorthreeabouttheregionofthewaistband，whichmodestlywithdrewintoacreasyretirement。

Punctualtothetime，appearedthecarriageandtheSecretary。Hesatonthebox，andMrSloppygracedtherumble。So，totheThreeMagpiesasbefore:whereMrsBoffinandMissBellawerehandedout，andwhencetheyallwentonfoottoMrsBettyHigden\'s。

But，onthewaydown，theyhadstoppedatatoy-shop，andhadboughtthatnoblecharger，adescriptionofwhosepointsandtrappingshadonthelastoccasionconciliatedthethenworldly-

mindedorphan，andalsoaNoah\'sark，andalsoayellowbirdwithanartificialvoiceinhim，andalsoamilitarydollsowelldressedthatifhehadonlybeenoflife-sizehisbrother-officersintheGuardsmightneverhavefoundhimout。Bearingthesegifts，theyraisedthelatchofBettyHigden\'sdoor，andsawhersittinginthedimmestandfurthestcornerwithpoorJohnnyinherlap。

\'Andhow\'smyboy，Betty?\'askedMrsBoffin，sittingdownbesideher。

\'He\'sbad！He\'sbad！\'saidBetty。\'Ibegintobeafeerdhe\'llnotbeyoursanymorethanmine。AllothersbelongingtohimhavegonetothePowerandtheGlory，andIhaveamindthatthey\'redrawinghimtothem——leadinghimaway。\'

\'No，no，no，\'saidMrsBoffin。

\'Idon\'tknowwhyelseheclencheshislittlehandasifithadholdofafingerthatIcan\'tsee。Lookatit，\'saidBetty，openingthewrappersinwhichtheflushedchildlay，andshowinghissmallrighthandlyingcloseduponhisbreast。\'It\'salwaysso。Itdon\'tmindme。\'

\'Isheasleep?\'

\'No，Ithinknot。You\'renotasleep，myJohnny?\'

\'No，\'saidJohnny，withaquietairofpityforhimself；andwithoutopeninghiseyes。

\'Here\'sthelady，Johnny。Andthehorse。\'

Johnnycouldbearthelady，withcompleteindifference，butnotthehorse。Openinghisheavyeyes，heslowlybrokeintoasmileonbeholdingthatsplendidphenomenon，andwantedtotakeitinhisarms。Asitwasmuchtoobig，itwasputuponachairwherehecouldholditbythemaneandcontemplateit。Whichhesoonforgottodo。

But，Johnnymurmuringsomethingwithhiseyesclosed，andMrsBoffinnotknowingwhat，oldBettybenthereartolistenandtookpainstounderstand。Beingaskedbyhertorepeatwhathehadsaid，hedidsotwoorthreetimes，andthenitcameoutthathemusthaveseenmorethantheysupposedwhenhelookeduptoseethehorse，forthemurmurwas，\'Whoisthebooferlady?\'

Now，theboofer，orbeautiful，ladywasBella；andwhereasthisnoticefromthepoorbabywouldhavetouchedherofitself；itwasrenderedmorepatheticbythelatemeltingofherhearttoherpoorlittlefather，andtheirjokeaboutthelovelywoman。So，Bella\'sbehaviourwasverytenderandverynaturalwhenshekneeledonthebrickfloortoclaspthechild，andwhenthechild，withachild\'sadmirationofwhatisyoungandpretty，fondledthebooferlady。

\'Now，mygooddearBetty，\'saidMrsBoffin，hopingthatshesawheropportunity，andlayingherhandpersuasivelyonherarm；\'wehavecometoremoveJohnnyfromthiscottagetowherehecanbetakenbettercareof。\'

Instantly，andbeforeanotherwordcouldbespoken，theoldwomanstartedupwithblazingeyes，andrushedatthedoorwiththesickchild。

\'Standawayfrommeeveryoneofye！\'shecriedoutwildly。\'Iseewhatyemeannow。Letmegomyway，allofye。I\'dsoonerkillthePretty，andkillmyself！\'

\'Stay，stay！\'saidRokesmith，soothingher。\'Youdon\'tunderstand。\'

\'Iunderstandtoowell。Iknowtoomuchaboutit，sir。I\'verunfromittoomanyayear。No！Neverforme，norforthechild，whilethere\'swaterenoughinEnglandtocoverus！\'

Theterror，theshame，thepassionofhorrorandrepugnance，firingthewornfaceandperfectlymaddeningit，wouldhavebeenaquiteterriblesight，ifembodiedinoneoldfellow-creaturealone。

Yetit\'cropsup\'——asourslanggoes——mylordsandgentlemenandhonourableboards，inotherfellow-creatures，ratherfrequently！

\'It\'sbeenchasingmeallmylife，butitshallnevertakemenorminealive！\'criedoldBetty。\'I\'vedonewithye。I\'dhavefasteneddoorandwindowandstarvedout，aforeI\'deverhaveletyein，ifI

hadknownwhatyecamefor！\'

But，catchingsightofMrsBoffin\'swholesomeface，sherelented，andcrouchingdownbythedoorandbendingoverherburdentohushit，saidhumbly:\'Maybemyfearshasputmewrong。Iftheyhaveso，tellme，andthegoodLordforgiveme！I\'mquicktotakethisfright，Iknow，andmyheadissumm\'atlightwithwearyingandwatching。\'

\'There，there，there！\'returnedMrsBoffin。\'Come，come！Saynomoreofit，Betty。Itwasamistake，amistake。Anyoneofusmighthavemadeitinyourplace，andfeltjustasyoudo。\'

\'TheLordblessye！\'saidtheoldwoman，stretchingoutherhand。

\'Now，see，Betty，\'pursuedthesweetcompassionatesoul，holdingthehandkindly，\'whatIreallydidmean，andwhatIshouldhavebegunbysayingout，ifIhadonlybeenalittlewiserandhandier。

WewanttomoveJohnnytoaplacewheretherearenonebutchildren；aplacesetuponpurposeforsickchildren；wherethegooddoctorsandnursespasstheirliveswithchildren，talktononebutchildren，touchnonebutchildren，comfortandcurenonebutchildren。\'

\'Istherereallysuchaplace?\'askedtheoldwoman，withagazeofwonder。

\'Yes，Betty，onmyword，andyoushallseeit。Ifmyhomewasabetterplaceforthedearboy，I\'dtakehimtoit；butindeedindeedit\'snot。\'

\'Youshalltakehim，\'returnedBetty，ferventlykissingthecomfortinghand，\'whereyouwill，mydeary。Iamnotsohard，butthatIbelieveyourfaceandvoice，andIwill，aslongasIcanseeandhear。\'

Thisvictorygained，Rokesmithmadehastetoprofitbyit，forhesawhowwoefullytimehadbeenlost。HedespatchedSloppytobringthecarriagetothedoor；causedthechildtobecarefullywrappedup；badeoldBettygetherbonneton；collectedthetoys，enablingthelittlefellowtocomprehendthathistreasuresweretobetransportedwithhim；andhadallthingspreparedsoeasilythattheywerereadyforthecarriageassoonasitappeared，andinaminuteafterwardswereontheirway。Sloppytheyleftbehind，relievinghisoverchargedbreastwithaparoxysmofmangling。

AttheChildren\'sHospital，thegallantsteed，theNoah\'sark，yellowbird，andtheofficerintheGuards，weremadeaswelcomeastheirchild-owner。ButthedoctorsaidasidetoRokesmith，\'Thisshouldhavebeendaysago。Toolate！\'

However，theywereallcarriedupintoafreshairyroom，andthereJohnnycametohimself，outofasleeporaswoonorwhateveritwas，tofindhimselflyinginalittlequietbed，withalittleplatformoverhisbreast，onwhichwerealreadyarranged，togivehimheartandurgehimtocheerup，theNoah\'sark，thenoblesteed，andtheyellowbird；withtheofficerintheGuardsdoingdutyoverthewhole，quiteasmuchtothesatisfactionofhiscountryasifhehadbeenuponParade。Andatthebed\'sheadwasacolouredpicturebeautifultosee，representingasitwereanotherJohnnyseatedonthekneeofsomeAngelsurelywholovedlittlechildren。And，marvellousfact，tolieandstareat:Johnnyhadbecomeoneofalittlefamily，allinlittlequietbeds(excepttwoplayingdominoesinlittlearm-chairsatalittletableonthehearth):

andonallthelittlebedswerelittleplatformswhereonweretobeseendolls\'houses，woollydogswithmechanicalbarksinthemnotverydissimilarfromtheartificialvoicepervadingthebowelsoftheyellowbird，tinarmies，Moorishtumblers，woodenteathings，andtherichesoftheearth。

AsJohnnymurmuredsomethinginhisplacidadmiration，theministeringwomenathisbed\'sheadaskedhimwhathesaid。Itseemedthathewantedtoknowwhetherallthesewerebrothersandsistersofhis?Sotheytoldhimyes。Itseemedthen，thathewantedtoknowwhetherGodhadbroughtthemalltogetherthere?

Sotheytoldhimyesagain。Theymadeoutthen，thathewantedtoknowwhethertheywouldallgetoutofpain?Sotheyansweredyestothatquestionlikewise，andmadehimunderstandthatthereplyincludedhimself。

Johnny\'spowersofsustainingconversationwereasyetsoveryimperfectlydeveloped，eveninastateofhealth，thatinsicknesstheywerelittlemorethanmonosyllabic。But，hehadtobewashedandtended，andremedieswereapplied，andthoughthoseofficeswerefar，farmoreskilfullyandlightlydonethaneveranythinghadbeendoneforhiminhislittlelife，soroughandshort，theywouldhavehurtandtiredhimbutforanamazingcircumstancewhichlaidholdofhisattention。Thiswasnolessthantheappearanceonhisownlittleplatforminpairs，ofAllCreation，onitswayintohisownparticularark:theelephantleading，andthefly，withadiffidentsenseofhissize，politelybringinguptherear。Averylittlebrotherlyinginthenextbedwithabrokenleg，wassoenchantedbythisspectaclethathisdelightexalteditsenthrallinginterest；andsocamerestandsleep。

\'Iseeyouarenotafraidtoleavethedearchildhere，Betty，\'

whisperedMrsBoffin。

\'No，ma\'am。Mostwillingly，mostthankfully，withallmyheartandsoul。\'

So，theykissedhim，andlefthimthere，andoldBettywastocomebackearlyinthemorning，andnobodybutRokesmithknewforcertainhowthatthedoctorhadsaid，\'Thisshouldhavebeendaysago。Toolate！\'

But，Rokesmithknowingit，andknowingthathisbearingitinmindwouldbeacceptablethereaftertothatgoodwomanwhohadbeentheonlylightinthechildhoodofdesolateJohnHarmondeadandgone，resolvedthatlateatnighthewouldgobacktothebedsideofJohnHarmon\'snamesake，andseehowitfaredwithhim。

ThefamilywhomGodhadbroughttogetherwerenotallasleep，butwereallquiet。Frombedtobed，alightwomanlytreadandapleasantfreshfacepassedinthesilenceofthenight。Alittleheadwouldliftitselfupintothesoftenedlighthereandthere，tobekissedasthefacewentby——fortheselittlepatientsareveryloving——andwouldthensubmititselftobecomposedtorestagain。Themitewiththebrokenlegwasrestless，andmoaned；butafterawhileturnedhisfacetowardsJohnny\'sbed，tofortifyhimselfwithaviewoftheark，andfellasleep。Overmostofthebeds，thetoyswereyetgroupedasthechildrenhadleftthemwhentheylastlaidthemselvesdown，and，intheirinnocentgrotesquenessandincongruity，theymighthavestoodforthechildren\'sdreams。

Thedoctorcameintoo，toseehowitfaredwithJohnny。AndheandRokesmithstoodtogether，lookingdownwithcompassiononhim。

\'Whatisit，Johnny?\'Rokesmithwasthequestioner，andputanarmroundthepoorbabyashemadeastruggle。

\'Him！\'saidthelittlefellow。\'Those！\'

Thedoctorwasquicktounderstandchildren，and，takingthehorse，theark，theyellowbird，andthemanintheGuards，fromJohnny\'sbed，softlyplacedthemonthatofhisnextneighbour，themitewiththebrokenleg。

Withawearyandyetapleasedsmile，andwithanactionasifhestretchedhislittlefigureouttorest，thechildheavedhisbodyonthesustainingarm，andseekingRokesmith\'sfacewithhislips，said:

\'Akissforthebooferlady。\'

Havingnowbequeathedallhehadtodisposeof，andarrangedhisaffairsinthisworld，Johnny，thusspeaking，leftit。

Chapter10

ASUCCESSOR

SomeoftheReverendFrankMilvey\'sbrethrenhadfoundthemselvesexceedinglyuncomfortableintheirminds，becausetheywererequiredtoburythedeadtoohopefully。But，theReverendFrank，incliningtothebeliefthattheywererequiredtodooneortwootherthings(sayoutofnine-and-thirty)calculatedtotroubletheirconsciencesrathermoreiftheywouldthinkasmuchaboutthem，heldhispeace。

Indeed，theReverendFrankMilveywasaforbearingman，whonoticedmanysadwarpsandblightsinthevineyardwhereinheworked，anddidnotprofessthattheymadehimsavagelywise。

Heonlylearnedthatthemorehehimselfknew，inhislittlelimitedhumanway，thebetterhecoulddistantlyimaginewhatOmnisciencemightknow。

Wherefore，iftheReverendFrankhadhadtoreadthewordsthattroubledsomeofhisbrethren，andprofitablytouchedinnumerablehearts，inaworsecasethanJohnny\'s，hewouldhavedonesooutofthepityandhumilityofhissoul。ReadingthemoverJohnny，hethoughtofhisownsixchildren，butnotofhispoverty，andreadthemwithdimmedeyes。Andveryseriouslydidheandhisbrightlittlewife，whohadbeenlistening，lookdownintothesmallgraveandwalkhomearm-in-arm。

Therewasgriefinthearistocratichouse，andtherewasjoyintheBower。MrWeggargued，ifanorphanwerewanted，washenotanorphanhimself；andcouldabetterbedesired?AndwhygobeatingaboutBrentfordbushes，seekingorphansforsoothwhohadestablishednoclaimsuponyouandmadenosacrificesforyou，whenherewasanorphanreadytoyourhandwhohadgivenupinyourcause，MissElizabeth，MasterGeorge，AuntJane，andUncleParker?

MrWeggchuckled，consequently，whenheheardthetidings。

Nay，itwasafterwardsaffirmedbyawitnesswhoshallatpresentbenameless，thatintheseclusionoftheBowerhepokedouthiswoodenleg，inthestage-balletmanner，andexecutedatauntingortriumphantpirouetteonthegenuinelegremainingtohim。

JohnRokesmith\'smannertowardsMrsBoffinatthistime，wasmorethemannerofayoungmantowardsamother，thanthatofaSecretarytowardshisemployer\'swife。Ithadalwaysbeenmarkedbyasubduedaffectionatedeferencethatseemedtohavesprungupontheverydayofhisengagement；whateverwasoddinherdressorherwayshadseemedtohavenooddityforhim；hehadsometimesborneaquietly-amusedfaceinhercompany，butstillithadseemedasifthepleasurehergenialtemperandradiantnatureyieldedhim，couldhavebeenquiteasnaturallyexpressedinatearasinasmile。ThecompletenessofhissympathywithherfancyforhavingalittleJohnHarmontoprotectandrear，hehadshownineveryactandword，andnowthatthekindfancywasdisappointed，hetreateditwithamanlytendernessandrespectforwhichshecouldhardlythankhimenough。

\'ButIdothankyou，MrRokesmith，\'saidMrsBoffin，\'andIthankyoumostkindly。Youlovechildren。\'

\'Ihopeeverybodydoes。\'

\'Theyought，\'saidMrsBoffin；\'butwedon\'tallofusdowhatweought，dous?\'

JohnRokesmithreplied，\'Someamongussupplytheshort-comingsoftherest。Youhavelovedchildrenwell，MrBoffinhastoldme。\'

Notabitbetterthanhehas，butthat\'shisway；heputsallthegooduponme。Youspeakrathersadly，MrRokesmith。\'

\'DoI?\'

\'Itsoundstomeso。Wereyouoneofmanychildren?\'Heshookhishead。

\'Anonlychild?\'

\'Notherewasanother。Deadlongago。\'

\'Fatherormotheralive?\'

\'Dead。\'——

\'Andtherestofyourrelations?\'

\'Dead——ifIeverhadanyliving。Ineverheardofany。\'

AtthispointofthedialogueBellacameinwithalightstep。Shepausedatthedooramoment，hesitatingwhethertoremainorretire；perplexedbyfindingthatshewasnotobserved。

\'Now，don\'tmindanoldlady\'stalk，\'saidMrsBoffin，\'buttellme。

Areyouquitesure，MrRokesmith，thatyouhaveneverhadadisappointmentinlove?\'

\'Quitesure。Whydoyouaskme?\'

\'Why，forthisreason。Sometimesyouhaveakindofkept-downmannerwithyou，whichisnotlikeyourage。Youcan\'tbethirty?\'

\'Iamnotyetthirty。\'

Deemingithightimetomakeherpresenceknown，Bellacoughedheretoattractattention，beggedpardon，andsaidshewouldgo，fearingthatsheinterruptedsomematterofbusiness。

\'No，don\'tgo，\'rejoinedMrsBoffin，\'becausewearecomingtobusiness，insteadofhavingbegunit，andyoubelongtoitasmuchnow，mydearBella，asIdo。ButIwantmyNoddytoconsultwithus。WouldsomebodybesogoodasfindmyNoddyforme?\'

Rokesmithdepartedonthaterrand，andpresentlyreturnedaccompaniedbyMrBoffinathisjog-trot。Bellafeltalittlevaguetrepidationastothesubject-matterofthissameconsultation，untilMrsBoffinannouncedit。

\'Now，youcomeandsitbyme，mydear，\'saidthatworthysoul，takinghercomfortableplaceonalargeottomaninthecentreoftheroom，anddrawingherarmthroughBella\'s；\'andNoddy，yousithere，andMrRokesmithyousitthere。Now，yousee，whatI

wanttotalkabout，isthis。MrandMrsMilveyhavesentmethekindestnotepossible(whichMrRokesmithjustnowreadtomeoutaloud，forIain\'tgoodathandwritings)，offeringtofindmeanotherlittlechildtonameandeducateandbringup。Well。Thishassetmethinking。\'

(\'Andsheisasteam-ingeinatit，\'murmuredMrBoffin，inanadmiringparenthesis，\'whensheoncebegins。Itmayn\'tbesoeasytostarther；butoncestarted，she\'saingein。\')

\'——Thishassetmethinking，Isay，\'repeatedMrsBoffin，cordiallybeamingundertheinfluenceofherhusband\'scompliment，\'andI

havethoughttwothings。Firstofall，thatIhavegrowntimidofrevivingJohnHarmon\'sname。It\'sanunfortunatename，andI

fancyIshouldreproachmyselfifIgaveittoanotherdearchild，anditprovedagainunlucky。\'

\'Now，whether，\'saidMrBoffin，gravelypropoundingacaseforhisSecretary\'sopinion；\'whetheronemightcallthatasuperstition?\'

\'ItisamatteroffeelingwithMrsBoffin，\'saidRokesmith，gently。

\'Thenamehasalwaysbeenunfortunate。Ithasnowthisnewunfortunateassociationconnectedwithit。Thenamehasdiedout。

Whyreviveit?MightIaskMissWilferwhatshethinks?\'

\'Ithasnotbeenafortunatenameforme，\'saidBella，colouring——\'oratleastitwasnot，untilitledtomybeinghere——butthatisnotthepointinmythoughts。Aswehadgiventhenametothepoorchild，andasthepoorchildtooksolovinglytome，IthinkIshouldfeeljealousofcallinganotherchildbyit。IthinkIshouldfeelasifthenamehadbecomeendearedtome，andIhadnorighttouseitso。\'

\'Andthat\'syouropinion?\'remarkedMrBoffin，observantoftheSecretary\'sfaceandagainaddressinghim。

\'Isayagain，itisamatteroffeeling，\'returnedtheSecretary。\'I

thinkMissWilfer\'sfeelingverywomanlyandpretty。\'

\'Now，giveusyouropinion，Noddy，\'saidMrsBoffin。

\'Myopinion，oldlady，\'returnedtheGoldenDustman，\'isyouropinion。\'

\'Then，\'saidMrsBoffin，\'weagreenottoreviveJohnHarmon\'sname，buttoletitrestinthegrave。Itis，asMrRokesmithsays，amatteroffeeling，butLorhowmanymattersAREmattersoffeeling！Well；andsoIcometothesecondthingIhavethoughtof。Youmustknow，Bella，mydear，andMrRokesmith，thatwhenIfirstnamedtomyhusbandmythoughtsofadoptingalittleorphanboyinremembranceofJohnHarmon，IfurthernamedtomyhusbandthatitwascomfortingtothinkthathowthepoorboywouldbebenefitedbyJohn\'sownmoney，andprotectedfromJohn\'sownforlornness。\'

\'Hear，hear！\'criedMrBoffin。\'Soshedid。Ancoar！\'

\'No，notAncoar，Noddy，mydear，\'returnedMrsBoffin，\'becauseI

amgoingtosaysomethingelse。Imeantthat，Iamsure，asImuchasIstillmeanit。Butthislittledeathhasmademeaskmyselfthequestion，seriously，whetherIwasn\'ttoobentuponpleasingmyself。ElsewhydidIseekoutsomuchforaprettychild，andachildquitetomyliking?Wantingtodogood，whynotdoitforitsownsake，andputmytastesandlikingsby?\'

\'Perhaps，\'saidBella；andperhapsshesaiditwithsomelittlesensitivenessarisingoutofthoseoldcuriousrelationsofherstowardsthemurderedman；\'perhaps，inrevivingthename，youwouldnothavelikedtogiveittoalessinterestingchildthantheoriginal。Heinterestedyouverymuch。\'

\'Well，mydear，\'returnedMrsBoffin，givingherasqueeze，\'it\'skindofyoutofindthatreasonout，andIhopeitmayhavebeenso，andindeedtoacertainextentIbelieveitwasso，butIamafraidnottothewholeextent。However，thatdon\'tcomeinquestionnow，becausewehavedonewiththename。\'

\'Laiditupasaremembrance，\'suggestedBella，musingly。

\'Muchbettersaid，mydear；laiditupasaremembrance。Wellthen；IhavebeenthinkingifItakeanyorphantoprovidefor，letitnotbeapetandaplaythingforme，butacreaturetobehelpedforitsownsake。\'

\'Notprettythen?\'saidBella。

\'No，\'returnedMrsBoffin，stoutly。

\'Norprepossessingthen?\'saidBella。

\'No，\'returnedMrsBoffin。\'Notnecessarilyso。That\'sasitmayhappen。Awell-disposedboycomesinmywaywhomaybeevenalittlewantinginsuchadvantagesforgettingoninlife，butishonestandindustriousandrequiresahelpinghandanddeservesit。IfIamverymuchinearnestandquitedeterminedtobeunselfish，letmetakecareofHIM。\'

Herethefootmanwhosefeelingshadbeenhurtontheformeroccasion，appeared，andcrossingtoRokesmithapologeticallyannouncedtheobjectionableSloppy。

ThefourmembersofCouncillookedatoneanother，andpaused。

\'Shallhebebroughthere，ma\'am?\'askedRokesmith。

\'Yes，\'saidMrsBoffin。Whereuponthefootmandisappeared，reappearedpresentingSloppy，andretiredmuchdisgusted。

TheconsiderationofMrsBoffinhadclothedMrSloppyinasuitofblack，onwhichthetailorhadreceivedpersonaldirectionsfromRokesmithtoexpendtheutmostcunningofhisart，withaviewtotheconcealmentofthecoheringandsustainingbuttons。But，somuchmorepowerfulwerethefrailtiesofSloppy\'sformthanthestrongestresourcesoftailoringscience，thathenowstoodbeforetheCouncil，aperfectArgusinthewayofbuttons:shiningandwinkingandgleamingandtwinklingoutofahundredofthoseeyesofbrightmetal，atthedazzledspectators。Theartistictasteofsomeunknownhatterhadfurnishedhimwithahatbandofwholesalecapacitywhichwasflutedbehind，fromthecrownofhishattothebrim，andterminatedinablackbunch，fromwhichtheimaginationshrunkdiscomfitedandthereasonrevolted。Somespecialpowerswithwhichhislegswereendowed，hadalreadyhitcheduphisglossytrousersattheankles，andbaggedthemattheknees；whilesimilargiftsinhisarmshadraisedhiscoat-

sleevesfromhiswristsandaccumulatedthemathiselbows。Thussetforth，withtheadditionalembellishmentsofaverylittletailtohiscoat，andayawninggulfathiswaistband，Sloppystoodconfessed。

\'AndhowisBetty，mygoodfellow?\'MrsBoffinaskedhim。

\'Thankee，mum，\'saidSloppy，\'shedoprettynicely，andsendingherdootyandmanythanksfortheteaandallfavioursandwishingtoknowthefamily\'shealths。\'

\'Haveyoujustcome，Sloppy?\'

\'Yes，mum。\'

\'Thenyouhavenothadyourdinneryet?\'

\'No，mum。ButImeantoit。ForIain\'tforgottenyourhandsomeordersthatIwasnevertogoawaywithouthavinghadagood\'unoffofmeatandbeerandpudding——no:therewasfourof\'em，forI

reckoned\'emupwhenIhad\'em；meatone，beertwo，vegetablesthree，andwhichwasfour?——Why，pudding，HEwasfour！\'HereSloppythrewhisheadback，openedhismouthwide，andlaughedrapturously。

\'HowarethetwopoorlittleMinders?\'askedMrsBoffin。

\'Strikingrightout，mum，andcomingroundbeautiful。\'

MrsBoffinlookedontheotherthreemembersofCouncil，andthensaid，beckoningwithherfinger:

\'Sloppy。\'

\'Yes，mum。\'

\'Comeforward，Sloppy。Shouldyouliketodinehereeveryday?\'

\'Offofallfouron\'em，mum?Omum！\'Sloppy\'sfeelingsobligedhimtosqueezehishat，andcontractonelegattheknee。

\'Yes。Andshouldyouliketobealwaystakencareofhere，ifyouwereindustriousanddeserving?\'

\'Oh，mum！——Butthere\'sMrsHigden，\'saidSloppy，checkinghimselfinhisraptures，drawingback，andshakinghisheadwithveryseriousmeaning。\'There\'sMrsHigden。MrsHigdengoesbeforeall。NonecaneverbebetterfriendstomethanMrsHigden\'sbeen。Andshemustbeturnedfor，mustMrsHigden。WherewouldMrsHigdenbeifshewarn\'tturnedfor！\'AtthemerethoughtofMrsHigdeninthisinconceivableaffliction，MrSloppy\'scountenancebecamepale，andmanifestedthemostdistressfulemotions。

\'Youareasrightasrightcanbe，Sloppy，\'saidMrsBoffin\'andfarbeitfrommetotellyouotherwise。Itshallbeseento。IfBettyHigdencanbeturnedforallthesame，youshallcomehereandbetakencareofforlife，andbemadeabletokeepherinotherwaysthantheturning。\'

\'Evenastothat，mum，\'answeredtheecstaticSloppy，\'theturningmightbedoneinthenight，don\'tyousee?Icouldbehereintheday，andturninthenight。Idon\'twantnosleep，Idon\'t。OrevenifIanywaysshouldwantawinkortwo，\'addedSloppy，afteramoment\'sapologeticreflection，\'Icouldtake\'emturning。I\'vetook\'emturningmanyatime，andenjoyed\'emwonderful！\'

Onthegratefulimpulseofthemoment，MrSloppykissedMrsBoffin\'shand，andthendetachinghimselffromthatgoodcreaturethathemighthaveroomenoughforhisfeelings，threwbackhishead，openedhismouthwide，andutteredadismalhowl。Itwascreditabletohistendernessofheart，butsuggestedthathemightonoccasiongivesomeoffencetotheneighbours:therather，asthefootmanlookedin，andbeggedpardon，findinghewasnotwanted，butexcusedhimself；ontheground\'thathethoughtitwasCats。\'

Chapter11

SOMEAFFAIRSOFTHEHEART

LittleMissPeecher，fromherlittleofficialdwelling-house，withitslittlewindowsliketheeyesinneedles，anditslittledoorslikethecoversofschool-books，wasveryobservantindeedoftheobjectofherquietaffections。Love，thoughsaidtobeafflictedwithblindness，isavigilantwatchman，andMissPeecherkepthimondoubledutyoverMrBradleyHeadstone。Itwasnotthatshewasnaturallygiventoplayingthespy——itwasnotthatshewasatallsecret，plotting，ormean——itwassimplythatshelovedtheirresponsiveBradleywithalltheprimitiveandhomelystockoflovethathadneverbeenexaminedorcertificatedoutofher。Ifherfaithfulslatehadhadthelatentqualitiesofsympatheticpaper，anditspencilthoseofinvisibleink，manyalittletreatisecalculatedtoastonishthepupilswouldhavecomeburstingthroughthedrysumsinschool-timeunderthewarminginfluenceofMissPeecher\'sbosom。For，oftentimeswhenschoolwasnot，andhercalmleisureandcalmlittlehousewereherown，MissPeecherwouldcommittotheconfidentialslateanimaginarydescriptionofhow，uponabalmyeveningatdusk，twofiguresmighthavebeenobservedinthemarket-gardengroundroundthecorner，ofwhomone，beingamanlyform，bentovertheother，beingawomanlyformofshortstatureandsomecompactness，andbreathedinalowvoicethewords，\'EmmaPeecher，wiltthoubemyown?\'afterwhichthewomanlyform\'sheadreposeduponthemanlyform\'sshoulder，andthenightingalestunedup。Thoughallunseen，andunsuspectedbythepupils，BradleyHeadstoneevenpervadedtheschoolexercises。WasGeographyinquestion?HewouldcometriumphantlyflyingoutofVesuviusandAetnaaheadofthelava，andwouldboilunharmedinthehotspringsofIceland，andwouldfloatmajesticallydowntheGangesandtheNile。DidHistorychronicleakingofmen?Beholdhiminpepper-and-saltpantaloons，withhiswatch-guardroundhisneck。Werecopiestobewritten?IncapitalB\'sandH\'smostofthegirlsunderMissPeecher\'stuitionwerehalfayearaheadofeveryotherletterinthealphabet。AndMentalArithmetic，administeredbyMissPeecher，oftendevoteditselftoprovidingBradleyHeadstonewithawardrobeoffabulousextent:fourscoreandfourneck-tiesattwoandninepence-halfpenny，twogrossofsilverwatchesatfourpoundsfifteenandsixpence，seventy-fourblackhatsateighteenshillings；andmanysimilarsuperfluities。

Thevigilantwatchman，usinghisdailyopportunitiesofturninghiseyesinBradley\'sdirection，soonapprizedMissPeecherthatBradleywasmorepreoccupiedthanhadbeenhiswont，andmoregiventostrollingaboutwithadowncastandreservedface，turningsomethingdifficultinhismindthatwasnotinthescholasticsyllabus。Puttingthisandthattogether——combiningunderthehead\'this，\'presentappearancesandtheintimacywithCharleyHexam，andrangingunderthehead\'that\'thevisittohissister，thewatchmanreportedtoMissPeecherhisstrongsuspicionsthatthesisterwasatthebottomofit。

\'Iwonder，\'saidMissPeecher，asshesatmakingupherweeklyreportonahalf-holidayafternoon，\'whattheycallHexam\'ssister?\'

MaryAnne，atherneedlework，attendantandattentive，heldherarmup。

\'Well，MaryAnne?\'

\'SheisnamedLizzie，ma\'am。\'

\'ShecanhardlybenamedLizzie，Ithink，MaryAnne，\'returnedMissPeecher，inatunefullyinstructivevoice。\'IsLizzieaChristianname，MaryAnne?\'

MaryAnnelaiddownherwork，rose，hookedherselfbehind，asbeingundercatechization，andreplied:\'No，itisacorruption，MissPeecher。\'

\'Whogaveherthatname?\'MissPeecherwasgoingon，fromthemereforceofhabit，whenshecheckedherself；onMaryAnne\'sevincingtheologicalimpatiencetostrikeinwithhergodfathersandhergodmothers，andsaid:\'Imeanofwhatnameisitacorruption?\'

\'Elizabeth，orEliza，MissPeecher。\'

\'Right，MaryAnne。WhethertherewereanyLizziesintheearlyChristianChurchmustbeconsideredverydoubtful，verydoubtful。\'MissPeecherwasexceedinglysagehere。\'Speakingcorrectly，wesay，then，thatHexam\'ssisteriscalledLizzie；notthatsheisnamedso。Dowenot，MaryAnne?\'

\'Wedo，MissPeecher。\'

\'Andwhere，\'pursuedMissPeecher，complacentinherlittletransparentfictionofconductingtheexaminationinasemiofficialmannerforMaryAnne\'sbenefit，notherown，\'wheredoesthisyoungwoman，whoiscalledbutnotnamedLizzie，live?Think，now，beforeanswering。\'

\'InChurchStreet，SmithSquare，byMillBank，ma\'am。\'

\'InChurchStreet，SmithSquare，byMillBank，\'repeatedMissPeecher，asifpossessedbeforehandofthebookinwhichitwaswritten。Exactlyso。Andwhatoccupationdoesthisyoungwomanpursue，MaryAnne?Taketime。\'

\'Shehasaplaceoftrustatanoutfitter\'sintheCity，ma\'am。\'

\'Oh！\'saidMissPeecher，ponderingonit；butsmoothlyadded，inaconfirmatorytone，\'Atanoutfitter\'sintheCity。Ye-es?\'

\'AndCharley——\'MaryAnnewasproceeding，whenMissPeecherstared。

\'ImeanHexam，MissPeecher。\'

\'Ishouldthinkyoudid，MaryAnne。Iamgladtohearyoudo。

AndHexam——\'

\'Says，\'MaryAnnewenton，\'thatheisnotpleasedwithhissister，andthathissisterwon\'tbeguidedbyhisadvice，andpersistsinbeingguidedbysomebodyelse\'s；andthat——\'

\'MrHeadstonecomingacrossthegarden！\'exclaimedMissPeecher，withaflushedglanceatthelooking-glass。\'Youhaveansweredverywell，MaryAnne。Youareforminganexcellenthabitofarrangingyourthoughtsclearly。Thatwilldo。\'

ThediscreetMaryAnneresumedherseatandhersilence，andstitched，andstitched，andwasstitchingwhentheschoolmaster\'sshadowcameinbeforehim，announcingthathemightbeinstantlyexpected。

\'Goodevening，MissPeecher，\'hesaid，pursuingtheshadow，andtakingitsplace。

\'Goodevening，MrHeadstone。MaryAnne，achair。\'

\'Thankyou，\'saidBradley，seatinghimselfinhisconstrainedmanner。\'Thisisbutaflyingvisit。Ihavelookedin，onmyway，toaskakindnessofyouasaneighbour。\'

\'Didyousayonyourway，MrHeadstone?\'askedMissPeecher。

\'Onmywayto——whereIamgoing。\'

\'ChurchStreet，SmithSquare，byMillBank，\'repeatedMissPeecher，inherownthoughts。

\'CharleyHexamhasgonetogetabookortwohewants，andwillprobablybebackbeforeme。Asweleavemyhouseempty，ItookthelibertyoftellinghimIwouldleavethekeyhere。Wouldyoukindlyallowmetodoso?\'

\'Certainly，MrHeadstone。Goingforaneveningwalk，sir?\'

\'Partlyforawalk，andpartlyfor——onbusiness。\'

\'BusinessinChurchStreet，SmithSquare，byMillBank，\'repeatedMissPeechertoherself。

\'Havingsaidwhich，\'pursuedBradley，layinghisdoor-keyonthetable，\'Imustbealreadygoing。ThereisnothingIcandoforyou，MissPeecher?\'

\'Thankyou，MrHeadstone。Inwhichdirection?\'

\'InthedirectionofWestminster。\'

\'MillBank，\'MissPeecherrepeatedinherownthoughtsonceagain。\'No，thankyou，MrHeadstone；I\'llnottroubleyou。\'

\'Youcouldn\'ttroubleme，\'saidtheschoolmaster。

\'Ah！\'returnedMissPeecher，thoughnotaloud；\'butyoucantroubleME！\'Andforallherquietmanner，andherquietsmile，shewasfulloftroubleashewenthisway。

Shewasrighttouchinghisdestination。Heheldasstraightacourseforthehouseofthedolls\'dressmakerasthewisdomofhisancestors，exemplifiedintheconstructionoftheinterveningstreets，wouldlethim，andwalkedwithabentheadhammeringatonefixedidea。Ithadbeenanimmoveableideasincehefirstseteyesuponher。Itseemedtohimasifallthathecouldsuppressinhimselfhehadsuppressed，asifallthathecouldrestraininhimselfhehadrestrained，andthetimehadcome——inarush，inamoment——whenthepowerofself-commandhaddepartedfromhim。Loveatfirstsightisatriteexpressionquitesufficientlydiscussed；enoughthatincertainsmoulderingnatureslikethisman\'s，thatpassionleapsintoablaze，andmakessuchheadasfiredoesinarageofwind，whenotherpassions，butforitsmastery，couldbeheldinchains。Asamultitudeofweak，imitativenaturesarealwayslyingby，readytogomaduponthenextwrongideathatmaybebroached——inthesetimes，generallysomeformoftributetoSomebodyforsomethingthatneverwasdone，or，ifeverdone，thatwasdonebySomebodyElse——sotheselessordinarynaturesmayliebyforyears，readyonthetouchofaninstanttoburstintoflame。

Theschoolmasterwenthisway，broodingandbrooding，andasenseofbeingvanquishedinastrugglemighthavebeenpiecedoutofhisworriedface。Truly，inhisbreasttherelingeredaresentfulshametofindhimselfdefeatedbythispassionforCharleyHexam\'ssister，thoughintheveryself-samemomentshewasconcentratinghimselfupontheobjectofbringingthepassiontoasuccessfulissue。

Heappearedbeforethedolls\'dressmaker，sittingaloneatherwork。\'Oho！\'thoughtthatsharpyoungpersonage，\'it\'syou，isit?I

knowyourtricksandyourmanners，myfriend！\'

\'Hexam\'ssister，\'saidBradleyHeadstone，\'isnotcomehomeyet?\'

\'Youarequiteaconjuror，\'returnedMissWren。

\'Iwillwait，ifyouplease，forIwanttospeaktoher。\'

\'Doyou?\'returnedMissWren。\'Sitdown。Ihopeit\'smutual。\'

Bradleyglanceddistrustfullyattheshrewdfaceagainbendingoverthework，andsaid，tryingtoconquerdoubtandhesitation:

\'Ihopeyoudon\'timplythatmyvisitwillbeunacceptabletoHexam\'ssister?\'

\'There！Don\'tcallherthat。Ican\'tbearyoutocallherthat，\'

returnedMissWren，snappingherfingersinavolleyofimpatientsnaps，\'forIdon\'tlikeHexam。\'

\'Indeed?\'

\'No。\'MissWrenwrinkledhernose，toexpressdislike。\'Selfish。

Thinksonlyofhimself。Thewaywithallofyou。\'

\'Thewaywithallofus?Thenyoudon\'tlikeME?\'

\'So-so，\'repliedMissWren，withashrugandalaugh。\'Don\'tknowmuchaboutyou。\'

\'ButIwasnotawareitwasthewaywithallofus，\'saidBradley，returningtotheaccusation，alittleinjured。\'Won\'tyousay，someofus?\'

\'Meaning，\'returnedthelittlecreature，\'everyoneofyou，butyou。

Hah！Nowlookthisladyintheface。ThisisMrsTruth。TheHonourable。Full-dressed。\'

Bradleyglancedatthedollsheheldupforhisobservation——whichhadbeenlyingonitsfaceonherbench，whilewithaneedleandthreadshefastenedthedressonattheback——andlookedfromittoher。

\'IstandtheHonourableMrsT。onmybenchinthiscorneragainstthewall，whereherblueeyescanshineuponyou，\'pursuedMissWren，doingso，andmakingtwolittledabsathimintheairwithherneedle，asifsheprickedhimwithitinhisowneyes；\'andI

defyyoutotellme，withMrsT。forawitness，whatyouhavecomeherefor。\'

\'ToseeHexam\'ssister。\'

\'Youdon\'tsayso！\'retortedMissWren，hitchingherchin。\'Butonwhoseaccount?\'

\'Herown。\'

\'OMrsT。！\'exclaimedMissWren。\'Youhearhim！\'

\'Toreasonwithher，\'pursuedBradley，halfhumouringwhatwaspresent，andhalfangrywithwhatwasnotpresent；\'forherownsake。\'

\'OhMrsT。！\'exclaimedthedressmaker。

\'Forherownsake，\'repeatedBradley，warming，\'andforherbrother\'s，andasaperfectlydisinterestedperson。\'

\'Really，MrsT。，\'remarkedthedressmaker，\'sinceitcomestothis，wemustpositivelyturnyouwithyourfacetothewall。\'Shehadhardlydoneso，whenLizzieHexamarrived，andshowedsomesurpriseonseeingBradleyHeadstonethere，andJennyshakingherlittlefistathimclosebeforehereyes，andtheHonourableMrsT。withherfacetothewall。

\'Here\'saperfectlydisinterestedperson，Lizziedear，\'saidtheknowingMissWren，\'cometotalkwithyou，foryourownsakeandyourbrother\'s。Thinkofthat。Iamsurethereoughttobenothirdpartypresentatanythingsoverykindandsoveryserious；

andso，ifyou\'llremovethethirdpartyupstairs，mydear，thethirdpartywillretire。\'

Lizzietookthehandwhichthedolls\'dressmakerheldouttoherforthepurposeofbeingsupportedaway，butonlylookedatherwithaninquiringsmile，andmadenoothermovement。

\'Thethirdpartyhobblesawfully，youknow，whenshe\'slefttoherself；\'saidMissWren，\'herbackbeingsobad，andherlegssoqueer；soshecan\'tretiregracefullyunlessyouhelpher，Lizzie。\'

\'Shecandonobetterthanstaywheresheis，\'returnedLizzie，releasingthehand，andlayingherownlightlyonMissJenny\'scurls。AndthentoBradley:\'FromCharley，sir?\'

Inanirresoluteway，andstealingaclumsylookather，Bradleyrosetoplaceachairforher，andthenreturnedtohisown。

\'Strictlyspeaking，\'saidhe，\'IcomefromCharley，becauseIlefthimonlyalittlewhileago；butIamnotcommissionedbyCharley。

Icomeofmyownspontaneousact。\'

Withherelbowsonherbench，andherchinuponherhands，MissJennyWrensatlookingathimwithawatchfulsidelonglook。

Lizzie，inherdifferentway，satlookingathimtoo。

\'Thefactis，\'beganBradley，withamouthsodrythathehadsomedifficultyinarticulatinghiswords:theconsciousnessofwhichrenderedhismannerstillmoreungainlyandundecided；\'thetruthis，thatCharley，havingnosecretsfromme(tothebestofmybelief)，hasconfidedthewholeofthismattertome。\'

Hecametoastop，andLizzieasked:\'whatmatter，sir?\'

\'Ithought，\'returnedtheschoolmaster，stealinganotherlookather，andseemingtotryinvaintosustainit；forthelookdroppedasitlightedonhereyes，\'thatitmightbesosuperfluousastobealmostimpertinent，toenteruponadefinitionofit。Myallusionwastothismatterofyourhavingputasideyourbrother\'splansforyou，andgiventhepreferencetothoseofMr——IbelievethenameisMrEugeneWrayburn。\'

Hemadethispointofnotbeingcertainofthename，withanotheruneasylookather，whichdroppedlikethelast。

Nothingbeingsaidontheotherside，hehadtobeginagain，andbeganwithnewembarrassment。

\'Yourbrother\'splanswerecommunicatedtomewhenhefirsthadtheminhisthoughts。InpointoffacthespoketomeaboutthemwhenIwaslasthere——whenwewerewalkingbacktogether，andwhenI——whentheimpressionwasfreshuponmeofhavingseenhissister。\'

Theremighthavebeennomeaninginit，butthelittledressmakerhereremovedoneofhersupportinghandsfromherchin，andmusinglyturnedtheHonourableMrsT。withherfacetothecompany。Thatdone，shefellintoherformerattitude。

\'Iapprovedofhisidea，\'saidBradley，withhisuneasylookwanderingtothedoll，andunconsciouslyrestingtherelongerthanithadrestedonLizzie，\'bothbecauseyourbrotheroughtnaturallytobetheoriginatorofanysuchscheme，andbecauseIhopedtobeabletopromoteit。Ishouldhavehadinexpressiblepleasure，I

shouldhavetakeninexpressibleinterest，inpromotingit。

ThereforeImustacknowledgethatwhenyourbrotherwasdisappointed，Itoowasdisappointed。Iwishtoavoidreservationorconcealment，andIfullyacknowledgethat。\'

Heappearedtohaveencouragedhimselfbyhavinggotsofar。Atalleventshewentonwithmuchgreaterfirmnessandforceofemphasis:thoughwithacuriousdispositiontosethisteeth，andwithacurioustight-screwingmovementofhisrighthandintheclenchingpalmofhisleft，liketheactionofonewhowasbeingphysicallyhurt，andwasunwillingtocryout。

\'Iamamanofstrongfeelings，andIhavestronglyfeltthisdisappointment。Idostronglyfeelit。Idon\'tshowwhatIfeel；

someofusareobligedhabituallytokeepitdown。Tokeepitdown。Buttoreturntoyourbrother。Hehastakenthemattersomuchtoheartthathehasremonstrated(inmypresenceheremonstrated)withMrEugeneWrayburn，ifthatbethename。Hedidso，quiteineffectually。AsanyonenotblindedtotherealcharacterofMr——MrEugeneWrayburn——wouldreadilysuppose。\'

HelookedatLizzieagain，andheldthelook。Andhisfaceturnedfromburningredtowhite，andfromwhitebacktoburningred，andsoforthetimetolastingdeadlywhite。

\'Finally，Iresolvedtocomeherealone，andappealtoyou。I

resolvedtocomeherealone，andentreatyoutoretractthecourseyouhavechosen，andinsteadofconfidinginamerestranger——apersonofmostinsolentbehaviourtoyourbrotherandothers——topreferyourbrotherandyourbrother\'sfriend。\'

LizzieHexamhadchangedcolourwhenthosechangescameoverhim，andherfacenowexpressedsomeanger，moredislike，andevenatouchoffear。Butsheansweredhimverysteadily。

\'Icannotdoubt，MrHeadstone，thatyourvisitiswellmeant。YouhavebeensogoodafriendtoCharleythatIhavenorighttodoubtit。IhavenothingtotellCharley，butthatIacceptedthehelptowhichhesomuchobjectsbeforehemadeanyplansforme；orcertainlybeforeIknewofany。Itwasconsideratelyanddelicatelyoffered，andtherewerereasonsthathadweightwithmewhichshouldbeasdeartoCharleyastome。IhavenomoretosaytoCharleyonthissubject。\'

Hislipstrembledandstoodapart，ashefollowedthisrepudiationofhimself；andlimitationofherwordstoherbrother。

\'IshouldhavetoldCharley，ifhehadcometome，\'sheresumed，asthoughitwereanafter-thought，\'thatJennyandIfindourteacherveryableandverypatient，andthatshetakesgreatpainswithus。

Somuchso，thatwehavesaidtoherwehopeinaverylittlewhiletobeabletogoonbyourselves。Charleyknowsaboutteachers，andIshouldalsohavetoldhim，forhissatisfaction，thatourscomesfromaninstitutionwhereteachersareregularlybroughtup。\'

\'Ishouldliketoaskyou，\'saidBradleyHeadstone，grindinghiswordsslowlyout，asthoughtheycamefromarustymill；\'Ishouldliketoaskyou，ifImaywithoutoffence，whetheryouwouldhaveobjected——no；rather，Ishouldliketosay，ifImaywithoutoffence，thatIwishIhadhadtheopportunityofcomingherewithyourbrotheranddevotingmypoorabilitiesandexperiencetoyourservice。\'

\'Thankyou，MrHeadstone。\'

\'ButIfear，\'hepursued，afterapause，furtivelywrenchingattheseatofhischairwithonehand，asifhewouldhavewrenchedthechairtopieces，andgloomilyobservingherwhilehereyeswerecastdown，\'thatmyhumbleserviceswouldnothavefoundmuchfavourwithyou?\'

Shemadenoreply，andthepoorstrickenwretchsatcontendingwithhimselfinaheatofpassionandtorment。Afterawhilehetookouthishandkerchiefandwipedhisforeheadandhands。

\'ThereisonlyonethingmoreIhadtosay，butitisthemostimportant。Thereisareasonagainstthismatter，thereisapersonalrelationconcernedinthismatter，notyetexplainedtoyou。Itmight——Idon\'tsayitwould——itmight——induceyoutothinkdifferently。Toproceedunderthepresentcircumstancesisoutofthequestion。Willyoupleasecometotheunderstandingthatthereshallbeanotherinterviewonthesubject?\'

\'WithCharley，MrHeadstone?\'

\'With——well，\'heanswered，breakingoff，\'yes！Saywithhimtoo。

Willyoupleasecometotheunderstandingthattheremustbeanotherinterviewundermorefavourablecircumstances，beforethewholecasecanbesubmitted?\'

\'Idon\'t，\'saidLizzie，shakingherhead，\'understandyourmeaning，MrHeadstone。\'

\'Limitmymeaningforthepresent，\'heinterrupted，\'tothewholecasebeingsubmittedtoyouinanotherinterview。\'

\'Whatcase，MrHeadstone?Whatiswantingtoit?\'

\'You——youshallbeinformedintheotherinterview。\'Thenhesaid，asifinaburstofirrepressibledespair，\'I——Ileaveitallincomplete！

Thereisaspelluponme，Ithink！\'Andthenadded，almostasifheaskedforpity，\'Good-night！\'

Heheldouthishand。Asshe，withmanifesthesitation，nottosayreluctance，touchedit，astrangetremblepassedoverhim，andhisface，sodeadlywhite，wasmovedasbyastrokeofpain。Thenhewasgone。

Thedolls\'dressmakersatwithherattitudeunchanged，eyeingthedoorbywhichhehaddeparted，untilLizziepushedherbenchasideandsatdownnearher。Then，eyeingLizzieasshehadpreviouslyeyedBradleyandthedoor，MissWrenchoppedthatverysuddenandkeenchopinwhichherjawssometimesindulged，leanedbackinherchairwithfoldedarms，andthusexpressedherself:

\'Humph！Ifhe——Imean，ofcourse，mydear，thepartywhoiscomingtocourtmewhenthetimecomes——shouldbeTHATsortofman，hemaysparehimselfthetrouble。HEwouldn\'tdotobetrottedaboutandmadeuseful。He\'dtakefireandblowupwhilehewasaboutit。

\'Andsoyouwouldberidofhim，\'saidLizzie，humouringher。

\'Notsoeasily，\'returnedMissWren。\'Hewouldn\'tblowupalone。

He\'dcarrymeupwithhim。Iknowhistricksandhismanners。\'

\'Wouldhewanttohurtyou，doyoumean?\'askedLizzie。

\'Mightn\'texactlywanttodoit，mydear，\'returnedMissWren；\'butalotofgunpowderamonglightedlucifer-matchesinthenextroommightalmostaswellbehere。\'

\'Heisaverystrangeman，\'saidLizzie，thoughtfully。

\'Iwishhewassoverystrangeamanastobeatotalstranger，\'

answeredthesharplittlething。

ItbeingLizzie\'sregularoccupationwhentheywerealoneofaneveningtobrushoutandsmooththelongfairhairofthedolls\'

dressmaker，sheunfastenedaribbonthatkeptitbackwhilethelittlecreaturewasatherwork，anditfellinabeautifulshoweroverthepoorshouldersthatweremuchinneedofsuchadorningrain。\'Notnow，Lizzie，dear，\'saidJenny；\'letushaveatalkbythefire。\'Withthosewords，sheinherturnloosenedherfriend\'sdarkhair，anditdroppedofitsownweightoverherbosom，intworichmasses。Pretendingtocomparethecoloursandadmirethecontrast，Jennysomanagedameretouchortwoofhernimblehands，asthatsheherselflayingacheekononeofthedarkfolds，seemedblindedbyherownclusteringcurlstoallbutthefire，whilethefinehandsomefaceandbrowofLizziewererevealedwithoutobstructioninthesombrelight。

\'Letushaveatalk，\'saidJenny，\'aboutMrEugeneWrayburn。\'

Somethingsparkleddownamongthefairhairrestingonthedarkhair；andifitwerenotastar——whichitcouldn\'tbe——itwasaneye；

andifitwereaneye，itwasJennyWren\'seye，brightandwatchfulasthebird\'swhosenameshehadtaken。

\'WhyaboutMrWrayburn?\'Lizzieasked。

\'FornobetterreasonthanbecauseI\'minthehumour。Iwonderwhetherhe\'srich！\'

\'No，notrich。\'

\'Poor?\'

\'Ithinkso，foragentleman。\'

\'Ah！Tobesure！Yes，he\'sagentleman。Notofoursort；ishe?\'

Ashakeofthehead，athoughtfulshakeofthehead，andtheanswer，softlyspoken，\'Ohno，ohno！\'

Thedolls\'dressmakerhadanarmroundherfriend\'swaist。

Adjustingthearm，sheslylytooktheopportunityofblowingatherownhairwhereitfelloverherface；thentheeyedownthere，underlightershadowssparkledmorebrightlyandappearedmorewatchful。

\'WhenHeturnsup，heshan\'tbeagentleman；I\'llverysoonsendhimpacking，ifheis。However，he\'snotMrWrayburn；Ihaven\'tcaptivatedHIM。Iwonderwhetheranybodyhas，Lizzie！\'

\'Itisverylikely。\'

\'Isitverylikely?Iwonderwho！\'

\'Isitnotverylikelythatsomeladyhasbeentakenbyhim，andthathemayloveherdearly?\'

\'Perhaps。Idon\'tknow。Whatwouldyouthinkofhim，Lizzie，ifyouwerealady?\'

\'Ialady！\'sherepeated，laughing。\'Suchafancy！\'

\'Yes。Butsay:justasafancy，andforinstance。\'

\'Ialady！I，apoorgirlwhousedtorowpoorfatherontheriver。

I，whohadrowedpoorfatheroutandhomeontheverynightwhenIsawhimforthefirsttime。I，whowasmadesotimidbyhislookingatme，thatIgotupandwentout！\'

(\'Hedidlookatyou，eventhatnight，thoughyouwerenotalady！\'

thoughtMissWren。)

\'Ialady！\'Lizziewentoninalowvoice，withhereyesuponthefire。\'I，withpoorfather\'sgravenotevenclearedofundeservedstainandshame，andhetryingtoclearitforme！Ialady！\'