AnothergorgeousdinnerawaitsthemontheirreturntotheVeneeringhalls，andLadyTippinsawaitsthem，andBootsandBrewerawaitthem。Thereisamodestassertiononeverybody'spartthateverybodysingle-handed'broughthimin'；butinthemainitisconcededbyall，thatthatstrokeofbusinessonBrewer'spart，ingoingdowntothehousethatnighttoseehowthingslooked，wasthemaster-stroke。
AtouchinglittleincidentisrelatedbyMrsVeneering，inthecourseoftheevening。MrsVeneeringishabituallydisposedtobetearful，andhasanextradispositionthatwayafterherlateexcitement。Previoustowithdrawingfromthedinner-tablewithLadyTippins，shesays，inapatheticandphysicallyweakmanner:
'Youwillallthinkitfoolishofme，Iknow，butImustmentionit。
AsIsatbyBaby'scrib，onthenightbeforetheelection，Babywasveryuneasyinhersleep。'
TheAnalyticalchemist，whoisgloomilylookingon，hasdiabolicalimpulsestosuggest'Wind'andthrowuphissituation；butrepressesthem。
'Afteranintervalalmostconvulsive，Babycurledherlittlehandsinoneanotherandsmiled。'
MrsVeneeringstoppinghere，MrPodsnapdeemsitincumbentonhimtosay:'Iwonderwhy！'
'Coulditbe，Iaskedmyself，'saysMrsVeneering，lookingaboutherforherpocket-handkerchief，'thattheFairiesweretellingBabythatherpapawouldshortlybeanM。P。?'
SoovercomebythesentimentisMrsVeneering，thattheyallgetuptomakeaclearstageforVeneering，whogoesroundthetabletotherescue，andbearsheroutbackward，withherfeetimpressivelyscrapingthecarpet:afterremarkingthatherworkhasbeentoomuchforherstrength。Whetherthefairiesmadeanymentionofthefivethousandpounds，anditdisagreedwithBaby，isnotspeculatedupon。
PoorlittleTwemlow，quitedoneup，istouched。andstillcontinuestouchedafterheissafelyhousedoverthelivery-stableyardinDukeStreet，SaintJames's。Butthere，uponhissofa，atremendousconsiderationbreaksinuponthemildgentleman，puttingallsofterconsiderationstotherout。
'Graciousheavens！NowIhavetimetothinkofit，heneversawoneofhisconstituentsinallhisdays，untilwesawthemtogether！'
Afterhavingpacedtheroomindistressofmind，withhishandtohisforehead，theinnocentTwemlowreturnstohissofaandmoans:
'Ishalleithergodistracted，ordie，ofthisman。Hecomesuponmetoolateinlife。Iamnotstrongenoughtobearhim！'
Chapter4
CUPIDPROMPTED
Tousethecoldlanguageoftheworld，MrsAlfredLammlerapidlyimprovedtheacquaintanceofMissPodsnap。TousethewarmlanguageofMrsLammle，sheandhersweetGeorgianasoonbecameone:inheart，inmind，insentiment，insoul。
WheneverGeorgianacouldescapefromthethraldomofPodsnappery；couldthrowoffthebedclothesofthecustard-
colouredphaeton，andgetup；couldshrinkoutoftherangeofhermother'srocking，andsotospeakrescueherpoorlittlefrostytoesfrombeingrockedover；sherepairedtoherfriend，MrsAlfredLammle。MrsPodsnapbynomeansobjected。Asaconsciously'splendidwoman，'accustomedtooverhearherselfsodenominatedbyelderlyosteologistspursuingtheirstudiesindinnersociety，MrsPodsnapcoulddispensewithherdaughter。
MrPodsnap，forhispart，onbeinginformedwhereGeorgianawas，swelledwithpatronageoftheLammles。Thatthey，whenunabletolayholdofhim，shouldrespectfullygraspatthehemofhismantle；thatthey，whentheycouldnotbaskinthegloryofhimthesun，shouldtakeupwiththepalereflectedlightofthewateryyoungmoonhisdaughter；appearedquitenatural，becoming，andproper。ItgavehimabetteropinionofthediscretionoftheLammlesthanhehadheretoforeheld，asshowingthattheyappreciatedthevalueoftheconnexion。So，Georgianarepairingtoherfriend，MrPodsnapwentouttodinner，andtodinner，andyettodinner，arminarmwithMrsPodsnap:settlinghisobstinateheadinhiscravatandshirt-collar，muchasifhewereperformingonthePandeanpipes，inhisownhonour，thetriumphalmarch，SeetheconqueringPodsnapcomes，Soundthetrumpets，beatthedrums！
ItwasatraitinMrPodsnap'scharacterandinoneformorotheritwillbegenerallyseentopervadethedepthsandshallowsofPodsnappery，thathecouldnotendureahintofdisparagementofanyfriendoracquaintanceofhis。'Howdareyou?'hewouldseemtosay，insuchacase。'Whatdoyoumean?Ihavelicensedthisperson。ThispersonhastakenoutMYcertificate。Throughthispersonyoustrikeatme，PodsnaptheGreat。AnditisnotthatI
particularlycarefortheperson'sdignity，butthatIdomostparticularlycareforPodsnap's。'Hence，ifanyoneinhispresencehadpresumedtodoubttheresponsibilityoftheLammles，hewouldhavebeenmightilyhuffed。Notthatanyonedid，forVeneering，M。P。，wasalwaystheauthorityfortheirbeingveryrich，andperhapsbelievedit。Asindeedhemight，ifhechose，foranythingheknewofthematter。
MrandMrsLammle'shouseinSackvilleStreet，Piccadilly，wasbutatemporaryresidence。Ithasdonewellenough，theyinformedtheirfriends，forMrLammlewhenabachelor，butitwouldnotdonow。So，theywerealwayslookingatpalatialresidencesinthebestsituations，andalwaysverynearlytakingorbuyingone，butneverquiteconcludingthebargain。Herebytheymadeforthemselvesashininglittlereputationapart。Peoplesaid，onseeingavacantpalatialresidence，'TheverythingfortheLammles！'andwrotetotheLammlesaboutit，andtheLammlesalwayswenttolookatit，butunfortunatelyitneverexactlyanswered。Inshort，theysufferedsomanydisappointments，thattheybegantothinkitwouldhenecessarytobuildapalatialresidence。Andherebytheymadeanothershiningreputation；
manypersonsoftheiracquaintancebecomingbyanticipationdissatisfiedwiththeirownhouses，andenviousofthenon-existentLammlestructure。
ThehandsomefittingsandfurnishingsofthehouseinSackvilleStreetwerepiledthickandhighovertheskeletonup-stairs，andifiteverwhisperedfromunderitsloadofupholstery，'HereIaminthecloset！'itwastoveryfewears，andcertainlynevertoMissPodsnap's。WhatMissPodsnapwasparticularlycharmedwith，nexttothegracesofherfriend，wasthehappinessofherfriend'smarriedlife。Thiswasfrequentlytheirthemeofconversation。
'Iamsure，'saidMissPodsnap，'MrLammleislikealover。AtleastI——Ishouldthinkhewas。'
'Georgiana，darling！'saidMrsLammle，holdingupaforefinger，'Takecare！'
'Ohmygoodnessme！'exclaimedMissPodsnap，reddening。'WhathaveIsaidnow?'
'Alfred，youknow，'hintedMrsLammle，playfullyshakingherhead。'YouwerenevertosayMrLammleanymore，Georgiana。'
'Oh！Alfred，then。Iamgladit'snoworse。IwasafraidIhadsaidsomethingshocking。Iamalwayssayingsomethingwrongtoma。'
'Tome，Georgianadearest?'
'No，nottoyou；youarenotma。Iwishyouwere。'
MrsLammlebestowedasweetandlovingsmileuponherfriend，whichMissPodsnapreturnedasshebestcould。TheysatatlunchinMrsLammle'sownboudoir。
'Andso，dearestGeorgiana，Alfredislikeyournotionofalover?'
'Idon'tsaythat，Sophronia，'Georgianareplied，beginningtoconcealherelbows。'Ihaven'tanynotionofalover。Thedreadfulwretchesthatmabringsupatplacestotormentme，arenotlovers。
IonlymeanthatMr——'
'Again，dearestGeorgiana?'
'ThatAlfred——'
'Soundsmuchbetter，darling。'
'——Lovesyouso。Healwaystreatsyouwithsuchdelicategallantryandattention。Now，don'the?'
'Truly，mydear，'saidMrsLammle，witharathersingularexpressioncrossingherface。'Ibelievethathelovesme，fullyasmuchasIlovehim。'
'Oh，whathappiness！'exclaimedMissPodsnap。
'Butdoyouknow，myGeorgiana，'MrsLammleresumedpresently，'thatthereissomethingsuspiciousinyourenthusiasticsympathywithAlfred'stenderness?'
'Goodgraciousno，Ihopenot！'
'Doesn'titrathersuggest，'saidMrsLammlearchly，'thatmyGeorgiana'slittleheartis——'
'Ohdon't！'MissPodsnapblushinglybesoughther。'Pleasedon't！
Iassureyou，Sophronia，thatIonlypraiseAlfred，becauseheisyourhusbandandsofondofyou。'
Sophronia'sglancewasasifarathernewlightbrokeinuponher。
Itshadedoffintoacoolsmile，asshesaid，withhereyesuponherlunch，andhereyebrowsraised:
'Youarequitewrong，mylove，inyourguessatmymeaning。
WhatIinsinuatedwas，thatmyGeorgiana'slittleheartwasgrowingconsciousofavacancy。'
'No，no，no，'saidGeorgiana。'Iwouldn'thaveanybodysayanythingtomeinthatwayforIdon'tknowhowmanythousandpounds。'
'Inwhatway，myGeorgiana?'inquiredMrsLammle，stillsmilingcoollywithhereyesuponherlunch，andhereyebrowsraised。
'YOUknow，'returnedpoorlittleMissPodsnap。'IthinkIshouldgooutofmymind，Sophronia，withvexationandshynessanddetestation，ifanybodydid。It'senoughformetoseehowlovingyouandyourhusbandare。That'sadifferentthing。Icouldn'tbeartohaveanythingofthatsortgoingonwithmyself。Ishouldbegandprayto——tohavethepersontakenawayandtrampledupon。'
Ah！herewasAlfred。Havingstoleninunobserved，heplayfullyleanedonthebackofSophronia'schair，and，asMissPodsnapsawhim，putoneofSophronia'swanderinglockstohislips，andwavedakissfromittowardsMissPodsnap。
'Whatisthisabouthusbandsanddetestations?'inquiredthecaptivatingAlfred。
'Why，theysay，'returnedhiswife，'thatlistenersneverhearanygoodofthemselves；thoughyou——butprayhowlonghaveyoubeenhere，sir?'
'Thisinstantarrived，myown。'
'ThenImaygoon——thoughifyouhadbeenherebutamomentortwosooner，youwouldhaveheardyourpraisessoundedbyGeorgiana。'
'Only，iftheyweretobecalledpraisesatallwhichIreallydon'tthinktheywere，'explainedMissPodsnapinaflutter，'forbeingsodevotedtoSophronia。'
'Sophronia！'murmuredAlfred。'Mylife！'andkissedherhand。Inreturnforwhichshekissedhiswatch-chain。
'ButitwasnotIwhowastobetakenawayandtrampledupon，I
hope?'saidAlfred，drawingaseatbetweenthem。
'AskGeorgiana，mysoul，'repliedhiswife。
AlfredtouchinglyappealedtoGeorgiana。
'Oh，itwasnobody，'repliedMissPodsnap。'Itwasnonsense。'
'Butifyouaredeterminedtoknow，MrInquisitivePet，asI
supposeyouare，'saidthehappyandfondSophronia，smiling，'itwasanyonewhoshouldventuretoaspiretoGeorgiana。'
'Sophronia，mylove，'remonstratedMrLammle，becominggraver，'youarenotserious?'
'Alfred，mylove，'returnedhiswife，'IdaresayGeorgianawasnot，butIam。'
'Nowthis，'saidMrLammle，'showstheaccidentalcombinationsthatthereareinthings！Couldyoubelieve，myOwnest，thatI
cameinherewiththenameofanaspiranttoourGeorgianaonmylips?'
'OfcourseIcouldbelieve，Alfred，'saidMrsLammle，'anythingthatYOUtoldme。'
'Youdearone！AndIanythingthatYOUtoldme。'
Howdelightfulthoseinterchanges，andthelooksaccompanyingthem！Now，iftheskeletonup-stairshadtakenthatopportunity，forinstance，ofcallingout'HereIam，suffocatinginthecloset！'
'Igiveyoumyhonour，mydearSophronia——'
'AndIknowwhatthatis，love，'saidshe。
'Youdo，mydarling——thatIcameintotheroomallbututteringyoungFledgeby'sname。TellGeorgiana，dearest，aboutyoungFledgeby。'
'Ohno，don't！Pleasedon't！'criedMissPodsnap，puttingherfingersinherears。'I'drathernot。'
MrsLammlelaughedinhergayestmanner，and，removingherGeorgiana'sunresistinghands，andplayfullyholdingtheminherownatarms'length，sometimesneartogetherandsometimeswideapart，wenton:
'Youmustknow，youdearlybelovedlittlegoose，thatonceuponatimetherewasacertainpersoncalledyoungFledgeby。AndthisyoungFledgeby，whowasofanexcellentfamilyandrich，wasknowntotwoothercertainpersons，dearlyattachedtooneanotherandcalledMrandMrsAlfredLammle。SothisyoungFledgeby，beingonenightattheplay，thereseeswithMrandMrsAlfredLammle，acertainheroinecalled——'
'No，don'tsayGeorgianaPodsnap！'pleadedthatyoungladyalmostintears。'Pleasedon't。Ohdododosaysomebodyelse！
NotGeorgianaPodsnap。Ohdon't，don't，don't！'
'Noother，'saidMrsLammle，laughingairily，and，fullofaffectionateblandishments，openingandclosingGeorgiana'sarmslikeapairofcompasses，thanmylittleGeorgianaPodsnap。SothisyoungFledgebygoestothatAlfredLammleandsays——'
'Ohple-e-e-easedon't！'Georgiana，asifthesupplicationwerebeingsqueezedoutofherbypowerfulcompression。'Isohatehimforsayingit！'
'Forsayingwhat，mydear?'laughedMrsLammle。
'Oh，Idon'tknowwhathesaid，'criedGeorgianawildly，'butIhatehimallthesameforsayingit。'
'Mydear，'saidMrsLammle，alwayslaughinginhermostcaptivatingway，'thepooryoungfellowonlysaysthatheisstrickenallofaheap。'
'Oh，whatshallIeverdo！'interposedGeorgiana。'OhmygoodnesswhataFoolhemustbe！'
'——Andimplorestobeaskedtodinner，andtomakeafourthattheplayanothertime。Andsohedinesto-morrowandgoestotheOperawithus。That'sall。Except，mydearGeorgiana——andwhatwillyouthinkofthis！——thatheisinfinitelyshyerthanyou，andfarmoreafraidofyouthanyoueverwereofanyoneinallyourdays！'
InperturbationofmindMissPodsnapstillfumedandpluckedatherhandsalittle，butcouldnothelplaughingatthenotionofanybody'sbeingafraidofher。Withthatadvantage，Sophroniaflatteredherandralliedhermoresuccessfully，andthentheinsinuatingAlfredflatteredherandralliedher，andpromisedthatatanymomentwhenshemightrequirethatserviceathishands，hewouldtakeyoungFledgebyoutandtrampleonhim。ThusitremainedamicablyunderstoodthatyoungFledgebywastocometoadmire，andthatGeorgianawastocometobeadmired；andGeorgianawiththeentirelynewsensationinherbreastofhavingthatprospectbeforeher，andwithmanykissesfromherdearSophroniainpresentpossession，precededsixfeetoneofdiscontentedfootmananamountofthearticlethatalwayscameforherwhenshewalkedhometoherfather'sdwelling。
Thehappypairbeinglefttogether，MrsLammlesaidtoherhusband:
'IfIunderstandthisgirl，sir，yourdangerousfascinationshaveproducedsomeeffectuponher。ImentiontheconquestingoodtimebecauseIapprehendyourschemetobemoreimportanttoyouthanyourvanity。'
Therewasamirroronthewallbeforethem，andhereyesjustcaughthimsmirkinginit。Shegavethereflectedimagealookofthedeepestdisdain，andtheimagereceiveditintheglass。Nextmomenttheyquietlyeyedeachother，asifthey，theprincipals，hadhadnopartinthatexpressivetransaction。
ItmayhavebeenthatMrsLammletriedinsomemannertoexcuseherconducttoherselfbydepreciatingthepoorlittlevictimofwhomshespokewithacrimoniouscontempt。Itmayhavebeentoothatinthisshedidnotquitesucceed，foritisverydifficulttoresistconfidence，andsheknewshehadGeorgiana's。
Nothingmorewassaidbetweenthehappypair。Perhapsconspiratorswhohaveonceestablishedanunderstanding，maynotbeover-fondofrepeatingthetermsandobjectsoftheirconspiracy。Nextdaycame；cameGeorgiana；andcameFledgeby。
Georgianahadbythistimeseenagooddealofthehouseanditsfrequenters。Astherewasacertainhandsomeroomwithabilliardtableinit——onthegroundfloor，eatingoutabackyard——whichmighthavebeenMrLammle'soffice，orlibrary，butwascalledbyneithername，butsimplyMrLammle'sroom，soitwouldhavebeenhardforstrongerfemaleheadsthanGeorgiana'stodeterminewhetheritsfrequentersweremenofpleasureormenofbusiness。
Betweentheroomandthementherewerestrongpointsofgeneralresemblance。Bothweretoogaudy，tooslangey，tooodorousofcigars，andtoomuchgiventohorseflesh；thelattercharacteristicbeingexemplifiedintheroombyitsdecorations，andinthemenbytheirconversation。High-steppinghorsesseemednecessarytoallMrLammle'sfriends——asnecessaryastheirtransactionofbusinesstogetherinagipsywayatuntimelyhoursofthemorningandevening，andinrushesandsnatches。
TherewerefriendswhoseemedtobealwayscomingandgoingacrosstheChannel，onerrandsabouttheBourse，andGreekandSpanishandIndiaandMexicanandparandpremiumanddiscountandthreequartersandseveneighths。TherewereotherfriendswhoseemedtobealwayslollingandlounginginandoutoftheCity，onquestionsoftheBourse，andGreekandSpanishandIndiaandMexicanandparandpremiumanddiscountandthreequartersandseveneighths。Theywereallfeverish，boastful，andindefinablyloose；andtheyallateanddrankagreatdeal；andmadebetsineatinganddrinking。Theyallspokeofsumsofmoney，andonlymentionedthesumsandleftthemoneytobeunderstood；as'fiveandfortythousandTom，'or'Twohundredandtwenty-twooneveryindividualshareinthelotJoe。'Theyseemedtodividetheworldintotwoclassesofpeople；peoplewhoweremakingenormousfortunes，andpeoplewhowerebeingenormouslyruined。Theywerealwaysinahurry，andyetseemedtohavenothingtangibletodo；exceptafewofthemthese，mostlyasthmaticandthick-lippedwhowereforeverdemonstratingtotherest，withgoldpencil-caseswhichtheycouldhardlyholdbecauseofthebigringsontheirforefingers，howmoneywastobemade。Lastly，theyallsworeattheirgrooms，andthegroomswerenotquiteasrespectfulorcompleteasothermen'sgrooms；seemingsomehowtofallshortofthegroompointastheirmastersfellshortofthegentlemanpoint。
YoungFledgebywasnoneofthese。YoungFledgebyhadapeachycheek，oracheekcompoundedofthepeachandtheredredredwallonwhichitgrows，andwasanawkward，sandy-
haired，small-eyedyouth，exceedingslimhisenemieswouldhavesaidlanky，andpronetoself-examinationinthearticlesofwhiskerandmoustache。Whilefeelingforthewhiskerthatheanxiouslyexpected，Fledgebyunderwentremarkablefluctuationsofspirits，rangingalongthewholescalefromconfidencetodespair。Thereweretimeswhenhestarted，asexclaiming'ByJupiterhereitisatlast！'Therewereothertimeswhen，beingequallydepressed，hewouldbeseentoshakehishead，andgiveuphope。Toseehimatthoseperiodsleaningonachimneypiece，likeasonanurncontainingtheashesofhisambition，withthecheekthatwouldnotsprout，uponthehandonwhichthatcheekhadforcedconviction，wasadistressingsight。
NotsowasFledgebyseenonthisoccasion。Arrayedinsuperbraiment，withhisoperahatunderhisarm，heconcludedhisself-
examinationhopefully，awaitedthearrivalofMissPodsnap，andtalkedsmall-talkwithMrsLammle。Infacetioushomagetothesmallnessofhistalk，andthejerkynatureofhismanners，Fledgeby'sfamiliarshadagreedtoconferuponhimbehindhisbackthehonorarytitleofFascinationFledgeby。
'Warmweather，MrsLammle，'saidFascinationFledgeby。MrsLammlethoughtitscarcelyaswarmasithadbeenyesterday。
'Perhapsnot，'saidFascinationFledgeby，withgreatquicknessofrepartee；'butIexpectitwillbedevilishwarmto-morrow。'
Hethrewoffanotherlittlescintillation。'Beenoutto-day，MrsLammle?'
MrsLammleanswered，forashortdrive。
'Somepeople，'saidFascinationFledgeby，'areaccustomedtotakelongdrives；butitgenerallyappearstomethatiftheymake'emtoolong，theyoverdoit。'
Beinginsuchfeather，hemighthavesurpassedhimselfinhisnextsally，hadnotMissPodsnapbeenannounced。MrsLammleflewtoembraceherdarlinglittleGeorgy，andwhenthefirsttransportswereover，presentedMrFledgeby。MrLammlecameonthescenelast，forhewasalwayslate，andsowerethefrequentersalwayslate；allhandsbeingboundtobemadelate，byprivateinformationabouttheBourse，andGreekandSpanishandIndiaandMexicanandparandpremiumanddiscountandthreequartersandseveneighths。
Ahandsomelittledinnerwasservedimmediately，andMrLammlesatsparklingathisendofthetable，withhisservantbehindhischair，andHISever-lingeringdoubtsuponthesubjectofhiswagesbehindhimself。MrLammle'sutmostpowersofsparklingwereinrequisitionto-day，forFascinationFledgebyandGeorgiananotonlystruckeachotherspeechless，butstruckeachotherintoastonishingattitudes；Georgiana，asshesatfacingFledgeby，makingsucheffortstoconcealherelbowsasweretotallyincompatiblewiththeuseofaknifeandfork；andFledgeby，ashesatfacingGeorgiana，avoidinghercountenancebyeverypossibledevice，andbetrayingthediscomposureofhismindinfeelingforhiswhiskerswithhisspoon，hiswineglass，andhisbread。
So，MrandMrsAlfredLammlehadtoprompt，andthisishowtheyprompted。
'Georgiana，'saidMrLammle，lowandsmiling，andsparklingallover，likeaharlequin；'youarenotinyourusualspirits。Whyareyounotinyourusualspirits，Georgiana?'
Georgianafalteredthatshewasmuchthesameasshewasingeneral；shewasnotawareofbeingdifferent。
'Notawareofbeingdifferent！'retortedMrAlfredLammle。'You，mydearGeorgiana！Whoarealwayssonaturalandunconstrainedwithus！Whoaresucharelieffromthecrowdthatareallalike！Whoaretheembodimentofgentleness，simplicity，andreality！'
MissPodsnaplookedatthedoor，asifsheentertainedconfusedthoughtsoftakingrefugefromthesecomplimentsinflight。
'Now，Iwillbejudged，'saidMrLammle，raisinghisvoicealittle，'bymyfriendFledgeby。'
'OhDON'T！'MissPodsnapfaintlyejaculated:whenMrsLammletooktheprompt-book。
'Ibegyourpardon，Alfred，mydear，butIcannotpartwithMrFledgebyquiteyet；youmustwaitforhimamoment。MrFledgebyandIareengagedinapersonaldiscussion。'
Fledgebymusthaveconducteditonhissidewithimmenseart，fornoappearanceofutteringonesyllablehadescapedhim。
'Apersonaldiscussion，Sophronia，mylove?Whatdiscussion?
Fledgeby，Iamjealous。Whatdiscussion，Fledgeby?'
'ShallItellhim，MrFledgeby?'askedMrsLammle。
Tryingtolookasifheknewanythingaboutit，Fascinationreplied，'Yes，tellhim。'
'Wewerediscussingthen，'saidMrsLammle，'ifyouMUSTknow，Alfred，whetherMrFledgebywasinhisusualflowofspirits。'
'Why，thatistheverypoint，Sophronia，thatGeorgianaandIwerediscussingastoherself！WhatdidFledgebysay?'
'Oh，alikelything，sir，thatIamgoingtotellyoueverything，andbetoldnothing！WhatdidGeorgianasay?'
'Georgianasaidshewasdoingherusualjusticetoherselfto-day，andIsaidshewasnot。'
'Precisely，'exclaimedMrsLammle，'whatIsaidtoMrFledgeby。'
Still，itwouldn'tdo。Theywouldnotlookatoneanother。No，notevenwhenthesparklinghostproposedthatthequartetteshouldtakeanappropriatelysparklingglassofwine。GeorgianalookedfromherwineglassatMrLammleandatMrsLammle；butmightn't，couldn't，shouldn't，wouldn't，lookatMrFledgeby。
FascinationlookedfromhiswineglassatMrsLammleandatMrLammle；butmightn't，couldn't，shouldn't，wouldn't，lookatGeorgiana。
Morepromptingwasnecessary。Cupidmustbebroughtuptothemark。Themanagerhadputhimdowninthebillforthepart，andhemustplayit。
'Sophronia，mydear，'saidMrLammle，'Idon'tlikethecolourofyourdress。'
'Iappeal，'saidMrsLammle，'toMrFledgeby。'
'AndI，'saidMrLammle，'toGeorgiana。'
'Georgy，mylove，'remarkedMrsLammleasidetoherdeargirl，'I
relyuponyounottogoovertotheopposition。Now，MrFledgeby。'
Fascinationwishedtoknowifthecolourwerenotcalledrose-
colour?Yes，saidMrLammle；actuallyhekneweverything；itwasreallyrose-colour。Fascinationtookrose-colourtomeanthecolourofroses。InthishewasverywarmlysupportedbyMrandMrsLammle。FascinationhadheardthetermQueenofFlowersappliedtotheRose。Similarly，itmightbesaidthatthedresswastheQueenofDresses。'Veryhappy，Fledgeby！'fromMrLammle。Notwithstanding，Fascination'sopinionwasthatweallhadoureyes——oratleastalargemajorityofus——andthat——and——andhisfartheropinionwasseveralands，withnothingbeyondthem。
'Oh，MrFledgeby，'saidMrsLammle，'todesertmeinthatway！
Oh，MrFledgeby，toabandonmypoordearinjuredroseanddeclareforblue！'
'Victory，victory！'criedMrLammle；'yourdressiscondemned，mydear。'
'Butwhat，'saidMrsLammle，stealingheraffectionatehandtowardsherdeargirl's，'whatdoesGeorgysay?'
'Shesays，'repliedMrLammle，interpretingforher，'thatinhereyesyoulookwellinanycolour，Sophronia，andthatifshehadexpectedtobeembarrassedbysoprettyacomplimentasshehasreceived，shewouldhavewornanothercolourherself。ThoughI
tellher，inreply，thatitwouldnothavesavedher，forwhatevercolourshehadwornwouldhavebeenFledgeby'scolour。ButwhatdoesFledgebysay?'
'Hesays，'repliedMrsLammle，interpretingforhim，andpattingthebackofherdeargirl'shand，asifitwereFledgebywhowaspattingit，'thatitwasnocompliment，butalittlenaturalactofhomagethathecouldn'tresist。And，'expressingmorefeelingasifitweremorefeelingonthepartofFledgeby，'heisright，heisright！'
Still，nonotevennow，wouldtheylookatoneanother。Seemingtognashhissparklingteeth，studs，eyes，andbuttons，allatonce，MrLammlesecretlybentadarkfrownonthetwo，expressiveofanintensedesiretobringthemtogetherbyknockingtheirheadstogether。
'Haveyouheardthisoperaofto-night，Fledgeby?'heasked，stoppingveryshort，topreventhimselffromrunningoninto'confoundyou。'
'Whyno，notexactly，'saidFledgeby。'InfactIdon'tknowanoteofit。'
'Neitherdoyouknowit，Georgy?'saidMrsLammle。'N-no，'
repliedGeorgiana，faintly，underthesympatheticcoincidence。
'Why，then，'saidMrsLammle，charmedbythediscoverywhichflowedfromthepremises，'youneitherofyouknowit！Howcharming！'
EventhecravenFledgebyfeltthatthetimewasnowcomewhenhemuststrikeablow。Hestruckitbysaying，partlytoMrsLammleandpartlytothecircumambientair，'Iconsidermyselfveryfortunateinbeingreservedby——'
Ashestoppeddead，MrLammle，makingthatgingerousbushofhiswhiskerstolookoutof，offeredhimtheword'Destiny。'
'No，Iwasn'tgoingtosaythat，'saidFledgeby。'IwasgoingtosayFate。IconsideritveryfortunatethatFatehaswritteninthebookof——inthebookwhichisitsownproperty——thatIshouldgotothatoperaforthefirsttimeunderthememorablecircumstancesofgoingwithMissPodsnap。'
TowhichGeorgianareplied，hookinghertwolittlefingersinoneanother，andaddressingthetablecloth，'Thankyou，butIgenerallygowithnoonebutyou，Sophronia，andIlikethatverymuch。'
Contentperforcewiththissuccessforthetime，MrLammleletMissPodsnapoutoftheroom，asifhewereopeninghercagedoor，andMrsLammlefollowed。Coffeebeingpresentlyservedupstairs，hekeptawatchonFledgebyuntilMissPodsnap'scupwasempty，andthendirectedhimwithhisfingerasifthatyounggentlemanwereaslowRetrievertogoandfetchit。Thisfeatheperformed，notonlywithoutfailure，butevenwiththeoriginalembellishmentofinformingMissPodsnapthatgreenteawasconsideredbadforthenerves。ThoughthereMissPodsnapunintentionallythrewhimoutbyfaltering，'Oh，isitindeed?Howdoesitact?'Whichhewasnotpreparedtoelucidate。
Thecarriageannounced，MrsLammlesaid；'Don'tmindme，MrFledgeby，myskirtsandcloakoccupybothmyhands，takeMissPodsnap。'Andhetookher，andMrsLammlewentnext，andMrLammlewentlast，savagelyfollowinghislittleflock，likeadrover。
ButhewasallsparkleandglitterintheboxattheOpera，andthereheandhisdearwifemadeaconversationbetweenFledgebyandGeorgianainthefollowingingeniousandskilfulmanner。
Theysatinthisorder:MrsLammle，FascinationFledgeby，Georgiana，MrLammle。MrsLammlemadeleadingremarkstoFledgeby，onlyrequiringmonosyllabicreplies。MrLammledidthelikewithGeorgiana。AttimesMrsLammlewouldleanforwardtoaddressMrLammletothispurpose。
'Alfred，mydear，MrFledgebyveryjustlysays，aproposofthelastscene，thattrueconstancywouldnotrequireanysuchstimulantasthestagedeemsnecessary。'TowhichMrLammlewouldreply，'Ay，Sophronia，mylove，butasGeorgianahasobservedtome，theladyhadnosufficientreasontoknowthestateofthegentleman'saffections。'TowhichMrsLammlewouldrejoin，'Verytrue，Alfred；butMrFledgebypointsout，'this。TowhichAlfredwoulddemur:'Undoubtedly，Sophronia，butGeorgianaacutelyremarks，'
that。Throughthisdevicethetwoyoungpeopleconversedatgreatlengthandcommittedthemselvestoavarietyofdelicatesentiments，withouthavingonceopenedtheirlips，savetosayyesorno，andeventhatnottooneanother。
FledgebytookhisleaveofMissPodsnapatthecarriagedoor，andtheLammlesdroppedheratherownhome，andonthewayMrsLammlearchlyralliedher，inherfondandprotectingmanner，bysayingatintervals，'OhlittleGeorgiana，littleGeorgiana！'Whichwasnotmuch；butthetoneadded，'YouhaveenslavedyourFledgeby。'
AndthustheLammlesgothomeatlast，andtheladysatdownmoodyandweary，lookingatherdarklordengagedinadeedofviolencewithabottleofsoda-waterasthoughhewerewringingtheneckofsomeunluckycreatureandpouringitsblooddownhisthroat。Ashewipedhisdrippingwhiskersinanogreishway，hemethereyes，andpausing，said，withnoverygentlevoice:
'Well?'
'WassuchanabsoluteBoobynecessarytothepurpose?'
'IknowwhatIamdoing。Heisnosuchdoltasyousuppose。'
'Agenius，perhaps?'
'Yousneer，perhaps；andyoutakealoftyairuponyourselfperhaps！ButItellyouthis:——whenthatyoungfellow'sinterestisconcerned，heholdsastightasahorse-leech。Whenmoneyisinquestionwiththatyoungfellow，heisamatchfortheDevil。'
'Isheamatchforyou?'
'Heis。Almostasgoodaoneasyouthoughtmeforyou。Hehasnoqualityofyouthinhim，butsuchasyouhaveseento-day。
Touchhimuponmoney，andyoutouchnoboobythen。Hereallyisadolt，Isuppose，inotherthings；butitanswershisonepurposeverywell。'
'Hasshemoneyinherownrightinanycase?'
'Ay！shehasmoneyinherownrightinanycase。Youhavedonesowellto-day，Sophronia，thatIanswerthequestion，thoughyouknowIobjecttoanysuchquestions。Youhavedonesowellto-
day，Sophronia，thatyoumustbetired。Gettobed。'
Chapter5
MERCURYPROMPTING
FledgebydeservedMrAlfredLammle'seulogium。Hewasthemeanestcurexisting，withasinglepairoflegs。Andinstinctawordweallclearlyunderstandgoinglargelyonfourlegs，andreasonalwaysontwo，meannessonfourlegsneverattainstheperfectionofmeannessontwo。
Thefatherofthisyounggentlemanhadbeenamoney-lender，whohadtransactedprofessionalbusinesswiththemotherofthisyounggentleman，whenhe，thelatter，waswaitinginthevastdarkante-
chambersofthepresentworldtobeborn。Thelady，awidow，beingunabletopaythemoney-lender，marriedhim；andinduecourse，Fledgebywassummonedoutofthevastdarkante-
chamberstocomeandbepresentedtotheRegistrar-General。
RatheracuriousspeculationhowFledgehywouldotherwisehavedisposedofhisleisureuntilDoomsday。
Fledgeby'smotheroffendedherfamilybymarryingFledgeby'sfather。Itisoneoftheeasiestachievementsinlifetooffendyourfamilywhenyourfamilywanttogetridofyou。Fledgeby'smother'sfamilyhadbeenverymuchoffendedwithherforbeingpoor，andbrokewithherforbecomingcomparativelyrich。
Fledgeby'smother'sfamilywastheSnigsworthfamily。ShehadeventhehighhonourtobecousintoLordSnigsworth——somanytimesremovedthatthenobleEarlwouldhavehadnocompunctioninremovingheronetimemoreanddroppinghercleanoutsidethecousinlypale；butcousinforallthat。
Amongherpre-matrimonialtransactionswithFledgeby'sfather，Fledgeby'smotherhadraisedmoneyofhimatagreatdisadvantageonacertainreversionaryinterest。Thereversionfallinginsoonaftertheyweremarried，Fledgeby'sfatherlaidholdofthecashforhisseparateuseandbenefit。Thisledtosubjectivedifferencesofopinion，nottosayobjectiveinterchangesofboot-
jacks，backgammonboards，andothersuchdomesticmissiles，betweenFledgeby'sfatherandFledgeby'smother，andthoseledtoFledgeby'smotherspendingasmuchmoneyasshecould，andtoFledgeby'sfatherdoingallhecouldn'ttorestrainher。Fledgeby'schildhoodhadbeen，inconsequence，astormyone；butthewindsandthewaveshadgonedowninthegrave，andFledgebyflourishedalone。
HelivedinchambersintheAlbany，didFledgeby，andmaintainedaspruceappearance。Buthisyouthfulfirewasallcomposedofsparksfromthegrindstone；andasthesparksflewoff，wentout，andneverwarmedanything，besurethatFledgebyhadhistoolsatthegrindstone，andturneditwithawaryeye。
MrAlfredLammlecameroundtotheAlbanytobreakfastwithFledgeby。Presentonthetable，onescantypotoftea，onescantyloaf，twoscantypatsofbutter，twoscantyrashersofbacon，twopitifuleggs，andanabundanceofhandsomechinaboughtasecondhandbargain。
'WhatdidyouthinkofGeorgiana?'askedMrLammle。
'Why，I'lltellyou，'saidFledgeby，verydeliberately。
'Do，myboy。'
'Youmisunderstandme，'saidFledgeby。'Idon'tmeanI'lltellyouthat。ImeanI'lltellyousomethingelse。'
'Tellmeanything，oldfellow！'
'Ah，butthereyoumisunderstandmeagain，'saidFledgeby。'I
meanI'lltellyounothing。'
MrLammlesparkledathim，butfrownedathimtoo。
'Lookhere，'saidFledgeby。'You'redeepandyou'reready。
WhetherIamdeepornot，nevermind。Iamnotready。ButIcandoonething，Lammle，Icanholdmytongue。AndIintendalwaysdoingit。'
'Youarealong-headedfellow，Fledgeby。'
'Maybe，ormaynotbe。IfIamashort-tonguedfellow，itmayamounttothesamething。Now，Lammle，Iamnevergoingtoanswerquestions。'
'Mydearfellow，itwasthesimplestquestionintheworld。'
'Nevermind。Itseemedso，butthingsarenotalwayswhattheyseem。IsawamanexaminedasawitnessinWestminsterHall。
Questionsputtohimseemedthesimplestintheworld，butturnedouttobeanythingratherthanthat，afterhehadanswered'em。
Verywell。Thenheshouldhaveheldhistongue。Ifhehadheldhistonguehewouldhavekeptoutofscrapesthathegotinto。'
'IfIhadheldmytongue，youwouldneverhaveseenthesubjectofmyquestion，'remarkedLammle，darkening。
'Now，Lammle，'saidFascinationFledgeby，calmlyfeelingforhiswhisker，'itwon'tdo。Iwon'tbeledonintoadiscussion。Ican'tmanageadiscussion。ButIcanmanagetoholdmytongue。'
'Can?'MrLammiefellbackuponpropitiation。'Ishouldthinkyoucould！Why，whenthesefellowsofouracquaintancedrinkandyoudrinkwiththem，themoretalkativetheyget，themoresilentyouget。Themoretheyletout，themoreyoukeepin。'
'Idon'tobject，Lammle，'returnedFledgeby，withaninternalchuckle，'tobeingunderstood，thoughIobjecttobeingquestioned。
ThatcertainlyISthewayIdoit。'
'Andwhenalltherestofusarediscussingourventures，noneofuseverknowwhatasingleventureofyoursis！'
'Andnoneofyoueverwillfromme，Lammle，'repliedFledgeby，withanotherinternalchuckle；'thatcertainlyISthewayIdoit。'
'Whyofcourseitis，Iknow！'rejoinedLammle，withaflourishoffrankness，andalaugh，andstretchingouthishandsasiftoshowtheuniversearemarkablemaninFledgeby。'IfIhadn'tknownitofmyFledgeby，shouldIhaveproposedourlittlecompactofadvantage，tomyFledgeby?'
'Ah！'remarkedFascination，shakinghisheadslyly。'ButIamnottobegotatinthatway。Iamnotvain。Thatsortofvanitydon'tpay，Lammle。No，no，no。Complimentsonlymakemeholdmytonguethemore。'
AlfredLammlepushedhisplateawaynogreatsacrificeunderthecircumstancesoftherebeingsolittleinit，thrusthishandsinhispockets，leanedbackinhischair，andcontemplatedFledgebyinsilence。Thenheslowlyreleasedhislefthandfromitspocket，andmadethatbushofhiswhiskers，stillcontemplatinghiminsilence。Thenheslowlybrokesilence，andslowlysaid:'What——
the——Dev-ilisthisfellowaboutthismorning?'
'Now，lookhere，Lammle，'saidFascinationFledgeby，withthemeanestoftwinklesinhismeanestofeyes:whichweretooneartogether，bytheway:'lookhere，Lammle；IamverywellawarethatIdidn'tshowtoadvantagelastnight，andthatyouandyourwife——who，Iconsider，isaverycleverwomanandanagreeablewoman——did。Iamnotcalculatedtoshowtoadvantageunderthatsortofcircumstances。Iknowverywellyoutwodidshowtoadvantage，andmanagedcapitally。Butdon'tyouonthataccountcometalkingtomeasifIwasyourdollandpuppet，becauseIamnot。
'Andallthis，'criedAlfred，afterstudyingwithalookthemeannessthatwasfaintohavethemeanesthelp，andyetwassomeanastoturnuponit:'allthisbecauseofonesimplenaturalquestion！'
'YoushouldhavewaitedtillIthoughtpropertosaysomethingaboutitofmyself。Idon'tlikeyourcomingovermewithyourGeorgianas，asifyouwasherproprietorandminetoo。'
'Well，whenyouareinthegraciousmindtosayanythingaboutitofyourself，'retortedLammle，'praydo。'
'Ihavedoneit。Ihavesaidyoumanagedcapitally。Youandyourwifeboth。Ifyou'llgoonmanagingcapitally，I'llgoondoingmypart。Onlydon'tcrow。'
'Icrow！'exclaimedLammle，shrugginghisshoulders。
'Or，'pursuedtheother——'ortakeitinyourheadthatpeopleareyourpuppetsbecausetheydon'tcomeouttoadvantageattheparticularmomentswhenyoudo，withtheassistanceofaverycleverandagreeablewife。Alltherestkeepondoing，andletMrsLammlekeepondoing。Now，IhaveheldmytonguewhenI
thoughtproper，andIhavespokenwhenIthoughtproper，andthere'sanendofthat。Andnowthequestionis，'proceededFledgeby，withthegreatestreluctance，'willyouhaveanotheregg?'
'No，Iwon't，'saidLammle，shortly。
'Perhapsyou'rerightandwillfindyourselfbetterwithoutit，'
repliedFascination，ingreatlyimprovedspirits。'Toaskyouifyou'llhaveanotherrasherwouldbeunmeaningflattery，foritwouldmakeyouthirstyallday。Willyouhavesomemorebreadandbutter?'
'No，Iwon't，'repeatedLammle。
'ThenIwill，'saidFascination。Anditwasnotamereretortforthesound'ssake，butwasacheerfulcogentconsequenceoftherefusal；forifLammlehadappliedhimselfagaintotheloaf，itwouldhavebeensoheavilyvisited，inFledgeby'sopinion，astodemandabstinencefrombread，onhispart，fortheremainderofthatmealatleast，ifnotforthewholeofthenext。
Whetherthisyounggentlemanforhewasbutthree-and-twenty
combinedwiththemiserlyviceofanoldman，anyoftheopen-
handedvicesofayoungone，wasamootpoint；soveryhonourablydidhekeephisowncounsel。Hewassensibleofthevalueofappearancesasaninvestment，andlikedtodresswell；buthedroveabargainforeverymoveableabouthim，fromthecoatonhisbacktothechinaonhisbreakfast-table；andeverybargainbyrepresentingsomebody'sruinorsomebody'sloss，acquiredapeculiarcharmforhim。Itwasapartofhisavaricetotake，withinnarrowbounds，longoddsatraces；ifhewon，hedroveharderbargains；ifhelost，hehalfstarvedhimselfuntilnexttime。WhymoneyshouldbesoprecioustoanAsstoodullandmeantoexchangeitforanyothersatisfaction，isstrange；butthereisnoanimalsosuretogetladenwithit，astheAsswhoseesnothingwrittenonthefaceoftheearthandskybutthethreelettersL。S。
D——notLuxury，Sensuality，Dissoluteness，whichtheyoftenstandfor，butthethreedryletters。YourconcentratedFoxisseldomcomparabletoyourconcentratedAssinmoney-breeding。
FascinationFledgebyfeignedtobeayounggentlemanlivingonhismeans，butwasknownsecretlytobeakindofoutlawinthebill-brokingline，andtoputmoneyoutathighinterestinvariousways。Hiscircleoffamiliaracquaintance，fromMrLammleround，allhadatouchoftheoutlaw，astotheirrovingsinthemerrygreenwoodofJobberyForest，lyingontheoutskirtsoftheShare-MarketandtheStockExchange。
'Isupposeyou，Lammle，'saidFledgeby，eatinghisbreadandbutter，'alwaysdidgoinforfemalesociety?'
'Always，'repliedLammle，gloomingconsiderablyunderhislatetreatment。
'Camenaturaltoyou，eh?'saidFledgeby。
'Thesexwerepleasedtolikeme，sir，'saidLammlesulkily，butwiththeairofamanwhohadnotbeenabletohelphimself。
'Madeaprettygoodthingofmarrying，didn'tyou?'askedFledgeby。
Theothersmiledanuglysmile，andtappedonetapuponhisnose。
'Mylategovernormadeamessofit，'saidFledgeby。'ButGeor——istherightnameGeorginaorGeorgiana?'
'Georgiana。'
'Iwasthinkingyesterday，Ididn'tknowtherewassuchaname。I
thoughtitmustendinina。
'Why?'
'Why，youplay——ifyoucan——theConcertina，youknow，'repliedFledgeby，meditatingveryslowly。'Andyouhave——whenyoucatchit——theScarlatina。Andyoucancomedownfromaballooninaparach——noyoucan'tthough。Well，sayGeorgeute——ImeanGeorgiana。'
'YouweregoingtoremarkofGeorgiana——?'Lammlemoodilyhinted，afterwaitinginvain。
'IwasgoingtoremarkofGeorgiana，sir，'saidFledgeby，notatallpleasedtoberemindedofhishavingforgottenit，'thatshedon'tseemtobeviolent。Don'tseemtobeofthepitching-inorder。'
'Shehasthegentlenessofthedove，MrFledgeby。'
'Ofcourseyou'llsayso，'repliedFledgeby，sharpening，themomenthisinterestwastouchedbyanother。'Butyouknow，thereallook-
outisthis:——whatIsay，notwhatyousay。Isayhavingmylategovernorandmylatemotherinmyeye——thatGeorgianadon'tseemtobeofthepitching-inorder。'
TherespectedMrLammlewasabully，bynatureandbyusualpractice。Perceiving，asFledgeby'saffrontscumulated，thatconciliationbynomeansansweredthepurposehere，henowdirectedascowlinglookintoFledgeby'ssmalleyesfortheeffectoftheoppositetreatment。Satisfiedbywhathesawthere，heburstintoaviolentpassionandstruckhishanduponthetable，makingthechinaringanddance。
'Youareaveryoffensivefellow，sir，'criedMrLammle，rising。
'Youareahighlyoffensivescoundrel。Whatdoyoumeanbythisbehaviour?'
'Isay！'remonstratedFledgeby。'Don'tbreakout。'
'Youareaveryoffensivefellowsir，'repeatedMrLammle。'Youareahighlyoffensivescoundrel！'
'ISAY，youknow！'urgedFledgeby，quailing。
'Why，youcoarseandvulgarvagabond！'saidMrLammle，lookingfiercelyabouthim，'ifyourservantwasheretogivemesixpenceofyourmoneytogetmybootscleanedafterwards——foryouarenotworththeexpenditure——I'dkickyou。'
'Noyouwouldn't，'pleadedFledgeby。'Iamsureyou'dthinkbetterofit。'
'Itellyouwhat，MrFledgeby，'saidLammleadvancingonhim。
'Sinceyoupresumetocontradictme，I'llassertmyselfalittle。
Givemeyournose！'
Fledgebycovereditwithhishandinstead，andsaid，retreating，'I
begyouwon't！'
'Givemeyournose，sir，'repeatedLammle。
Stillcoveringthatfeatureandbacking，MrFledgebyreiteratedapparentlywithaseverecoldinhishead，'Ibeg，Ibeg，youwon't。'
'Andthisfellow，'exclaimedLammle，stoppingandmakingthemostofhischest——'ThisfellowpresumesonmyhavingselectedhimoutofalltheyoungfellowsIknow，foranadvantageousopportunity！Thisfellowpresumesonmyhavinginmydeskroundthecorner，hisdirtynoteofhandforawretchedsumpayableontheoccurrenceofacertainevent，whicheventcanonlybeofmyandmywife'sbringingabout！Thisfellow，Fledgeby，presumestobeimpertinenttome，Lammle。Givemeyournosesir！'
'No！Stop！Ibegyourpardon，'saidFledgeby，withhumility。
'Whatdoyousay，sir?'demandedMrLammle，seemingtoofurioustounderstand。
'Ibegyourpardon，'repeatedFledgeby。
'Repeatyourwordslouder，sir。Thejustindignationofagentlemanhassentthebloodboilingtomyhead。Idon'thearyou。'
'Isay，'repeatedFledgeby，withlaboriousexplanatorypoliteness，'I
begyourpardon。'
MrLammlepaused。'Asamanofhonour，'saidhe，throwinghimselfintoachair，'Iamdisarmed。'
MrFledgebyalsotookachair，thoughlessdemonstratively，andbyslowapproachesremovedhishandfromhisnose。Somenaturaldiffidenceassailedhimastoblowingit，soshortlyafteritshavingassumedapersonalanddelicate，nottosaypublic，character；butheovercamehisscruplesbydegrees，andmodestlytookthatlibertyunderanimpliedprotest。
'Lammle，'hesaidsneakingly，whenthatwasdone，'Ihopewearefriendsagain?'
'MrFledgeby，'returnedLammle，'saynomore。'
'Imusthavegonetoofarinmakingmyselfdisagreeable，'saidFledgeby，'butIneverintendedit。'
'Saynomore，saynomore！'MrLammlerepeatedinamagnificenttone。'Givemeyour'——Fledgebystarted——'hand。'
Theyshookhands，andonMrLammle'spart，inparticular，thereensuedgreatgeniality。For，hewasquiteasmuchofadastardastheother，andhadbeeninequaldangeroffallingintothesecondplaceforgood，whenhetookheartjustintime，toactupontheinformationconveyedtohimbyFledgeby'seye。
Thebreakfastendedinaperfectunderstanding。IncessantmachinationsweretobekeptatworkbyMrandMrsLammle；
lovewastobemadeforFledgeby，andconquestwastobeinsuredtohim；heonhispartveryhumblyadmittinghisdefectsastothesoftersocialarts，andentreatingtobebackedtotheutmostbyhistwoablecoadjutors。
LittlereckedMrPodsnapofthetrapsandtoilsbesettinghisYoungPerson。HeregardedherassafewithintheTempleofPodsnappery，hidingthefulnessoftimewhenshe，Georgiana，shouldtakehim，Fitz-Podsnap，whowithallhisworldlygoodsshouldherendow。ItwouldcallablushintothecheekofhisstandardYoungPersontohaveanythingtodowithsuchmatterssavetotakeasdirected，andwithworldlygoodsaspersettlementtobeendowed。Whogiveththiswomantobemarriedtothisman?I，Podsnap。Perishthedaringthoughtthatanysmallercreationshouldcomebetween！
Itwasapublicholiday，andFledgebydidnotrecoverhisspiritsorhisusualtemperatureofnoseuntiltheafternoon。WalkingintotheCityintheholidayafternoon，hewalkedagainstalivingstreamsettingoutofit；andthus，whenheturnedintotheprecinctsofStMaryAxe，hefoundaprevalentreposeandquietthere。Ayellowoverhangingplaster-frontedhouseatwhichbestoppedwasquiettoo。Theblindswerealldrawndown，andtheinscriptionPubseyandCo。seemedtodozeinthecounting-housewindowontheground-floorgivingonthesleepystreet。
Fledgebyknockedandrang，andFledgebyrangandknocked，butnoonecame。Fledgebycrossedthenarrowstreetandlookedupatthehouse-windows，butnobodylookeddownatFledgeby。Hegotoutoftemper，crossedthenarrowstreetagain，andpulledthehousebellasifitwerethehouse'snose，andheweretakingahintfromhislateexperience。Hisearatthekeyholeseemedthen，atlast，togivehimassurancethatsomethingstirredwithin。Hiseyeatthekeyholeseemedtoconfirmhisear，forheangrilypulledthehouse'snoseagain，andpulledandpulledandcontinuedtopull，untilahumannoseappearedinthedarkdoorway。
'Nowyousir！'criedFledgeby。'Thesearenicegames！'
HeaddressedanoldJewishmaninanancientcoat，longofskirt，andwideofpocket。Avenerableman，baldandshiningatthetopofhishead，andwithlonggreyhairflowingdownatitssidesandminglingwithhisbeard。AmanwhowithagracefulEasternactionofhomagebenthishead，andstretchedouthishandswiththepalmsdownward，asiftodeprecatethewrathofasuperior。
'Whathaveyoubeenupto?'saidFledgeby，stormingathim。
'GenerousChristianmaster，'urgedtheJewishman，'itbeingholiday，Ilookedfornoone。'
'Holidayheblowed！'saidFledgeby，entering。'WhathaveYOU
gottodowithholidays?Shutthedoor。'
Withhisformeractiontheoldmanobeyed。Intheentryhunghisrustylarge-brimmedlow-crownedhat，aslongoutofdateashiscoat；inthecornernearitstoodhisstaff——nowalking-stickbutaveritablestaff。Fledgebyturnedintothecounting-house，perchedhimselfonabusinessstool，andcockedhishat。Therewerelightboxesonshelvesinthecounting-house，andstringsofmockbeadshangingup。Thereweresamplesofcheapclocks，andsamplesofcheapvasesofflowers。Foreigntoys，all。
Perchedonthestoolwithhishatcockedonhisheadandoneofhislegsdangling，theyouthofFledgebyhardlycontrastedtoadvantagewiththeageoftheJewishmanashestoodwithhisbareheadbowed，andhiseyeswhichheonlyraisedinspeaking
ontheground。Hisclothingwasworndowntotherustyhueofthehatintheentry，butthoughhelookedshabbyhedidnotlookmean。Now，Fledgeby，thoughnotshabby，didlookmean。
'Youhavenottoldmewhatyouwereupto，yousir，'saidFledgeby，scratchinghisheadwiththebrimofhishat。
'Sir，Iwasbreathingtheair。'
'Inthecellar，thatyoudidn'thear?'
'Onthehouse-top。'
'Uponmysoul！That'sawayofdoingbusiness。'
'Sir，'theoldmanrepresentedwithagraveandpatientair，'theremustbetwopartiestothetransactionofbusiness，andtheholidayhasleftmealone。'
'Ah！Can'tbebuyerandsellertoo。That'swhattheJewssay；ain'tit?'
'Atleastwesaytruly，ifwesayso，'answeredtheoldmanwithasmile。
'Yourpeopleneedspeakthetruthsometimes，fortheylieenough，'
remarkedFascinationFledgeby。
'Sir，thereis，'returnedtheoldmanwithquietemphasis，'toomuchuntruthamongalldenominationsofmen。'
Ratherdashed，FascinationFledgebytookanotherscratchathisintellectualheadwithhishat，togaintimeforrallying。
'Forinstance，'heresumed，asthoughitwerehewhohadspokenlast，'whobutyouandIeverheardofapoorJew?'
'TheJews，'saidtheoldman，raisinghiseyesfromthegroundwithhisformersmile。'TheyhearofpoorJewsoften，andareverygoodtothem。'
'Botherthat！'returnedFledgeby。'YouknowwhatImean。You'dpersuademeifyoucould，thatyouareapoorJew。Iwishyou'dconfesshowmuchyoureallydidmakeoutofmylategovernor。I
shouldhaveabetteropinionofyou。'
Theoldmanonlybenthishead，andstretchedouthishandsasbefore。
'Don'tgoonposturinglikeaDeafandDumbSchool，'saidtheingeniousFledgeby，'butexpressyourselflikeaChristian——orasnearlyasyoucan。'
'Ihadhadsicknessandmisfortunes，andwassopoor，'saidtheoldman，'ashopelesslytoowethefather，principalandinterest。Thesoninheriting，wassomercifulastoforgivemeboth，andplacemehere。'
Hemadealittlegestureasthoughhekissedthehemofanimaginarygarmentwornbythenobleyouthbeforehim。Itwashumblydone，butpicturesquely，andwasnotabasingtothedoer。
'Youwon'tsaymore，Isee，'saidFledgeby，lookingathimasifhewouldliketotrytheeffectofextractingadouble-toothortwo，'andsoit'sofnousemyputtingittoyou。Butconfessthis，Riah；
whobelievesyoutobepoornow?'
'Noone，'saidtheoldman。
'Thereyou'reright，'assentedFledgeby。
'Noone，'repeatedtheoldmanwithagraveslowwaveofhishead。'Allscoutitasafable。WereItosay“Thislittlefancybusinessisnotmine“；'withalithesweepofhiseasily-turninghandaroundhim，tocomprehendthevariousobjectsontheshelves；'“itisthelittlebusinessofaChristianyounggentlemanwhoplacesme，hisservant，intrustandchargehere，andtowhomIamaccountableforeverysinglebead，“theywouldlaugh。
When，inthelargermoney-business，Itelltheborrowers——'
'Isay，oldchap！'interposedFledgeby，'IhopeyoumindwhatyouDOtell'em?'
'Sir，ItellthemnomorethanIamabouttorepeat。WhenItellthem，“Icannotpromisethis，Icannotanswerfortheother，Imustseemyprincipal，Ihavenotthemoney，Iamapoormananditdoesnotrestwithme，“theyaresounbelievingandsoimpatient，thattheysometimescursemeinJehovah'sname。'
'That'sdeucedgood，thatis！'saidFascinationFledgeby。
'Andatothertimestheysay，“Canitneverbedonewithoutthesetricks，MrRiah?Come，come，MrRiah，weknowtheartsofyourpeople“——mypeople！——“Ifthemoneyistobelent，fetchit，fetchit；
ifitisnottobelent，keepitandsayso。”Theyneverbelieveme。'
'THAT'Sallright，'saidFascinationFledgeby。
'Theysay，“Weknow，MrRiah，weknow。Wehavebuttolookatyou，andweknow。”'
'Oh，agood'unareyouforthepost，'thoughtFledgeby，'andagood'unwasItomarkyououtforit！Imaybeslow，butIamprecioussure。'
NotasyllableofthisreflectionshapeditselfinanyscrapofMrFledgeby'sbreath，lestitshouldtendtoputhisservant'spriceup。
Butlookingattheoldmanashestoodquietwithhisbeadbowedandhiseyescastdown，hefeltthattorelinquishaninchofhisbaldness，aninchofhisgreyhair，aninchofhiscoat-skirt，aninchofhishat-brim，aninchofhiswalking-staff，wouldbetorelinquishhundredsofpounds。
'Lookhere，Riah，'saidFledgeby，mollifiedbytheseself-approvingconsiderations。'Iwanttogoalittlemoreintobuying-upqueerbills。Lookoutinthatdirection。'
'Sir，itshallbedone。'
'Castingmyeyeovertheaccounts，Ifindthatbranchofbusinesspaysprettyfairly，andIamgameforextendingit。Iliketoknowpeople'saffairslikewise。Solookout。'
'Sir，Iwill，promptly。'
'Putitaboutintherightquarters，thatyou'llbuyqueerbillsbythelump——bythepoundweightifthat'sall——supposingyouseeyourwaytoafairchanceonlookingovertheparcel。Andthere'sonethingmore。Cometomewiththebooksforperiodicalinspectionasusual，ateightonMondaymorning。'
Riahdrewsomefoldingtabletsfromhisbreastandnoteditdown。
'That'sallIwantedtosayatthepresenttime，'continuedFledgebyinagrudgingvein，ashegotoffthestool，'exceptthatIwishyou'dtaketheairwhereyoucanhearthebell，ortheknocker，eitheroneofthetwoorboth。By-the-byhowDOyoutaketheairatthetopofthehouse?Doyoustickyourheadoutofachimney-pot?'
'Sir，thereareleadsthere，andIhavemadealittlegardenthere。'
'Toburyyourmoneyin，youolddodger?'
'Athumbnail'sspaceofgardenwouldholdthetreasureIbury，master，'saidRiah。'Twelveshillingsaweek，evenwhentheyareanoldman'swages，burythemselves。'
'Ishouldliketoknowwhatyoureallyareworth，'returnedFledgeby，withwhomhisgrowingrichonthatstipendandgratitudewasaveryconvenientfiction。'Butcome！Let'shavealookatyourgardenonthetiles，beforeIgo！'
Theoldmantookastepback，andhesitated。
'Truly，sir，Ihavecompanythere。'
'Haveyou，byGeorge！'saidFledgeby；'Isupposeyouhappentoknowwhosepremisestheseare?'
'Sir，theyareyours，andIamyourservantinthem。'
'Oh！Ithoughtyoumighthaveoverlookedthat，'retortedFledgeby，withhiseyesonRiah'sbeardashefeltforhisown；'havingcompanyonmypremises，youknow！'
'Comeupandseetheguests，sir。Ihopeforyouradmissionthattheycandonoharm。'
Passinghimwithacourteousreverence，speciallyunlikeanyactionthatMrFledgebycouldforhislifehaveimpartedtohisownheadandhands，theoldmanbegantoascendthestairs。Ashetoiledonbefore，withhispalmuponthestair-rail，andhislongblackskirt，averygaberdine，overhangingeachsuccessivestep，hemighthavebeentheleaderinsomepilgrimageofdevotionalascenttoaprophet'stomb。Nottroubledbyanysuchweakimagining，FascinationFledgebymerelyspeculatedonthetimeoflifeatwhichhisbeardhadbegun，andthoughtoncemorewhatagood'unhewasforthepart。
Somefinalwoodenstepsconductedthem，stoopingunderalowpenthouseroof，tothehouse-top。Riahstoodstill，and，turningtohismaster，pointedouthisguests。
LizzieHexamandJennyWren。Forwhom，perhapswithsomeoldinstinctofhisrace，thegentleJewhadspreadacarpet。Seatedonit，againstnomoreromanticobjectthanablackenedchimney-
stackoverwhichsomebumblecreeperhadbeentrained，theybothporedoveronebook；bothwithattentivefaces；Jennywiththesharper；Lizziewiththemoreperplexed。Anotherlittlebookortwowerelyingnear，andacommonbasketofcommonfruit，andanotherbasketfullofstringsofbeadsandtinselscraps。A
fewboxesofhumbleflowersandevergreenscompletedthegarden；andtheencompassingwildernessofdowageroldchimneystwirledtheircowlsandflutteredtheirsmoke，ratherasiftheywerebridling，andfanningthemselves，andlookingoninastateofairysurprise。
Takinghereyesoffthebook，totesthermemoryofsomethinginit，Lizziewasthefirsttoseeherselfobserved。Assherose，MissWrenlikewisebecameconscious，andsaid，irreverentlyaddressingthegreatchiefofthepremises:'Whoeveryouare，I
can'tgetup，becausemyback'sbadandmylegsarequeer。'
'Thisismymaster，'saidRiah，steppingforward。
'Don'tlooklikeanybody'smaster，'observedMissWrentoherself，withahitchofherchinandeyes。
'This，sir，'pursuedtheoldman，'isalittledressmakerforlittlepeople。Explaintothemaster，Jenny。'
'Dolls；that'sall，'saidJenny，shortly。'Verydifficulttofittoo，becausetheirfiguresaresouncertain。Youneverknowwheretoexpecttheirwaists。'
'Herfriend，'resumedtheoldman，motioningtowardsLizzie；'andasindustriousasvirtuous。Butthattheybothare。Theyarebusyearlyandlate，sir，earlyandlate；andinbye-times，asonthisholiday，theygotobook-learning。'
'Notmuchgoodtobegotoutofthat，'remarkedFledgeby。
'Dependsupontheperson！'quothMissWren，snappinghimup。
'Imadeacquaintancewithmyguests，sir，'pursuedtheJew，withanevidentpurposeofdrawingoutthedressmaker，'throughtheircomingheretobuyofourdamageandwasteforMissJenny'smillinery。Ourwastegoesintothebestofcompany，sir，onherrosy-cheekedlittlecustomers。Theywearitintheirhair，andontheirball-dresses，andevensoshetellsmearepresentedatCourtwithit。'
'Ah！'saidFledgeby，onwhoseintelligencethisdoll-fancymaderatherstrongdemands；'she'sbeenbuyingthatbasketfulto-day，I
suppose?'
'Isupposeshehas，'MissJennyinterposed；'andpayingforittoo，mostlikely！'
'Let'shavealookatit，'saidthesuspiciouschief。Riahhandedittohim。'Howmuchforthisnow?'
'Twoprecioussilvershillings，'saidMissWren。
Riahconfirmedherwithtwonods，asFledgebylookedtohim。A
nodforeachshilling。
'Well，'saidFledgeby，pokingintothecontentsofthebasketwithhisforefinger，'thepriceisnotsobad。Youhavegotgoodmeasure，MissWhat-is-it。'
'TryJenny，'suggestedthatyoungladywithgreatcalmness。
'Youhavegotgoodmeasure，MissJenny；butthepriceisnotsobad——Andyou，'saidFledgeby，turningtotheothervisitor，'doyoubuyanythinghere，miss?'
'No，sir。'
'Norsellanythingneither，miss?'
'No，sir。'
Lookingaskewatthequestioner，Jennystoleherhanduptoherfriend's，anddrewherfrienddown，sothatshebentbesideheronherknee。
'Wearethankfultocomehereforrest，sir，'saidJenny。'Yousee，youdon'tknowwhattherestofthisplaceistous；doeshe，Lizzie?It'sthequiet，andtheair。'
'Thequiet！'repeatedFledgeby，withacontemptuousturnofhisheadtowardstheCity'sroar。'Andtheair！'witha'Poof！'atthesmoke。
'Ah！'saidJenny。'Butit'ssohigh。Andyouseethecloudsrushingonabovethenarrowstreets，notmindingthem，andyouseethegoldenarrowspointingatthemountainsintheskyfromwhichthewindcomes，andyoufeelasifyouweredead。'
Thelittlecreaturelookedaboveher，holdingupherslighttransparenthand。
'Howdoyoufeelwhenyouaredead?'askedFledgeby，muchperplexed。
'Oh，sotranquil！'criedthelittlecreature，smiling。'Oh，sopeacefulandsothankful！Andyouhearthepeoplewhoarealive，crying，andworking，andcallingtooneanotherdownintheclosedarkstreets，andyouseemtopitythemso！Andsuchachainhasfallenfromyou，andsuchastrangegoodsorrowfulhappinesscomesuponyou！'
Hereyesfellontheoldman，who，withhishandsfolded，quietlylookedon。
'Whyitwasonlyjustnow，'saidthelittlecreature，pointingathim，'thatIfanciedIsawhimcomeoutofhisgrave！Hetoiledoutatthatlowdoorsobentandworn，andthenhetookhisbreathandstoodupright，andlookedallroundhimatthesky，andthewindblewuponhim，andhislifedowninthedarkwasover！——Tillhewascalledbacktolife，'sheadded，lookingroundatFledgebywiththatlowerlookofsharpness。'Whydidyoucallhimback?'
'Hewaslongenoughcoming，anyhow，'grumbledFledgeby。
'Butyouarenotdead，youknow，'saidJennyWren。'Getdowntolife！'
MrFledgebyseemedtothinkitratheragoodsuggestion，andwithanodturnedround。AsRiahfollowedtoattendhimdownthestairs，thelittlecreaturecalledouttotheJewinasilverytone，'Don'tbelonggone。Comeback，andbedead！'Andstillastheywentdowntheyheardthelittlesweetvoice，moreandmorefaintly，halfcallingandhalfsinging，'Comebackandbedead，Comebackandbedead！'
Whentheygotdownintotheentry，Fledgeby，pausingundertheshadowofthebroadoldhat，andmechanicallypoisingthestaff，saidtotheoldman:
'That'sahandsomegirl，thatoneinhersenses。'
'Andasgoodashandsome，'answeredRiah。
'Atallevents，'observedFledgeby，withadrywhistle，'Ihopesheain'tbadenoughtoputanychapuptothefastenings，andgetthepremisesbrokenopen。Youlookout。Keepyourweathereyeawakeanddon'tmakeanymoreacquaintances，howeverhandsome。Ofcourseyoualwayskeepmynametoyourself?'
'Sir，assuredlyIdo。'
'Iftheyaskit，sayit'sPubsey，orsayit'sCo，orsayit'sanythingyoulike，butwhatitis。'
Hisgratefulservant——inwhoseracegratitudeisdeep，strong，andenduring——bowedhishead，andactuallydidnowputthehemofhiscoattohislips:thoughsolightlythatthewearerknewnothingofit。
Thus，FascinationFledgebywenthisway，exultingintheartfulclevernesswithwhichhehadturnedhisthumbdownonaJew，andtheoldmanwenthisdifferentwayup-stairs。Ashemounted，thecallorsongbegantosoundinhisearsagain，and，lookingabove，hesawthefaceofthelittlecreaturelookingdownoutofaGloryofherlongbrightradianthair，andmusicallyrepeatingtohim，likeavision:
'Comeupandbedead！Comeupandbedead！'
Chapter6
ARIDDLEWITHOUTANANSWER
AgainMrMortimerLightwoodandMrEugeneWrayburnsattogetherintheTemple。Thisevening，however，theywerenottogetherintheplaceofbusinessoftheeminentsolicitor，butinanotherdismalsetofchambersfacingitonthesamesecond-floor；
onwhosedungeon-likeblackouter-doorappearedthelegend:
PRIVATE
MREUGENEWRAYBURN
MRMORTIMERLIGHTWOOD
MrLightwood'sOfficesopposite。
Appearancesindicatedthatthisestablishmentwasaveryrecentinstitution。Thewhitelettersoftheinscriptionwereextremelywhiteandextremelystrongtothesenseofsmell，thecomplexionofthetablesandchairswaslikeLadyTippins'salittletoobloomingtobebelievedin，andthecarpetsandfloorclothseemedtorushatthebeholder'sfaceintheunusualprominencyoftheirpatterns。ButtheTemple，accustomedtotonedownboththestilllifeandthehumanlifethathasmuchtodowithit，wouldsoongetthebetterofallthat。
'Well！'saidEugene，ononesideofthefire，'Ifeeltolerablycomfortable。Ihopetheupholsterermaydothesame。'
'Whyshouldn'the?'askedLightwood，fromtheothersideofthefire。
'Tobesure，'pursuedEugene，reflecting，'heisnotinthesecretofourpecuniaryaffairs，soperhapshemaybeinaneasyframeofmind。'
'Weshallpayhim，'saidMortimer。
'Shallwe，really?'returnedEugene，indolentlysurprised。'Youdon'tsayso！'
'Imeantopayhim，Eugene，formypart，'saidMortimer，inaslightlyinjuredtone。
'Ah！Imeantopayhimtoo，'retortedEugene。'ButthenImeansomuchthatI——thatIdon'tmean。'
'Don'tmean?'
'SomuchthatIonlymeanandshallalwaysonlymeanandnothingmore，mydearMortimer。It'sthesamething。'
Hisfriend，lyingbackinhiseasychair，watchedhimlyingbackinhiseasychair，ashestretchedouthislegsonthehearth-rug，andsaid，withtheamusedlookthatEugeneWrayburncouldalwaysawakeninhimwithoutseemingtotryorcare:
'Anyhow，yourvagarieshaveincreasedthebill。'
'Callsthedomesticvirtuesvagaries！'exclaimedEugene，raisinghiseyestotheceiling。
'Thisverycompletelittlekitchenofours，'saidMortimer，'inwhichnothingwilleverbecooked——'
'Mydear，dearMortimer，'returnedhisfriend，lazilyliftinghisheadalittletolookathim，'howoftenhaveIpointedouttoyouthatitsmoralinfluenceistheimportantthing?'
'Itsmoralinfluenceonthisfellow！'exclaimedLightwood，laughing。
'Domethefavour，'saidEugene，gettingoutofhischairwithmuchgravity，'tocomeandinspectthatfeatureofourestablishmentwhichyourashlydisparage。'Withthat，takingupacandle，heconductedhischumintothefourthroomofthesetofchambers——alittlenarrowroom——whichwasverycompletelyandneatlyfittedasakitchen。'See！'saidEugene，'miniatureflour-barrel，rolling-
pin，spice-box，shelfofbrownjars，chopping-board，coffee-mill，dresserelegantlyfurnishedwithcrockery，saucepansandpans，roastingjack，acharmingkettle，anarmouryofdish-covers。Themoralinfluenceoftheseobjects，informingthedomesticvirtues，mayhaveanimmenseinfluenceuponme；notuponyou，foryouareahopelesscase，butuponme。Infact，IhaveanideathatI
feelthedomesticvirtuesalreadyforming。Domethefavourtostepintomybedroom。Secretaire，yousee，andabstrusesetofsolidmahoganypigeon-holes，oneforeveryletterofthealphabet。
TowhatusedoIdevotethem?Ireceiveabill——sayfromJones。I
docketitneatlyatthesecretaire，JONES，andIputitintopigeonholeJ。It'sthenextthingtoareceiptandisquiteassatisfactorytoME。AndIverymuchwish，Mortimer，'sittingonhisbed，withtheairofaphilosopherlecturingadisciple，'thatmyexamplemightinduceYOUtocultivatehabitsofpunctualityandmethod；and，bymeansofthemoralinfluenceswithwhichIhavesurroundedyou，toencouragetheformationofthedomesticvirtues。'
Mortimerlaughedagain，withhisusualcommentariesof'HowCANyoubesoridiculous，Eugene！'and'Whatanabsurdfellowyouare！'butwhenhislaughwasout，therewassomethingserious，ifnotanxious，inhisface。Despitethatperniciousassumptionoflassitudeandindifference，whichhadbecomehissecondnature，hewasstronglyattachedtohisfriend。HehadfoundedhimselfuponEugenewhentheywereyetboysatschool；andatthishourimitatedhimnoless，admiredhimnoless，lovedhimnoless，thaninthosedeparteddays。
'Eugene，'saidhe，'ifIcouldfindyouinearnestforaminute，I
wouldtrytosayanearnestwordtoyou。'
'Anearnestword?'repeatedEugene。'Themoralinfluencesarebeginningtowork。Sayon。'
'Well，Iwill，'returnedtheother，'thoughyouarenotearnestyet。'
'Inthisdesireforearnestness，'murmuredEugene，withtheairofonewhowasmeditatingdeeply，'Itracethehappyinfluencesofthelittleflour-barrelandthecoffee-mill。Gratifying。'
'Eugene，'resumedMortimer，disregardingthelightinterruption，andlayingahanduponEugene'sshoulder，ashe，Mortimer，stoodbeforehimseatedonhisbed，'youarewithholdingsomethingfromme。'