第72章

`Charity, upon the other hand,' said Mr. Pecksniff, `is remarkable for strong sense, and for rather a deep tone of sentiment, if the partiality of a father may be excused in saying so. A wonderful affection between them, my dear sir! Allow me to drink your health. Bless you!'

`I little thought,' retorted Martin, `but a month ago, that I should be breaking bread and pouring wine with you. I drink to you.'

Not at all abashed by the extraordinary abruptness with which these latter words were spoken, Mr. Pecksniff thanked him devoutly.

`Now let me go,' said Martin, putting down the wine when he had merely touched it with his lips. `My dears, good morning!'

But this distant form of farewell was by no means tender enough for the yearnings of the young ladies, who again embraced him with all their hearts--with all their arms at any rate--to which parting caresses their new-found friend submitted with a better grace than might have been expected from one who, not a moment before, had pledged their parent in such a very uncomfortable manner. These endearments terminated, he took a hasty leave of Mr. Pecksniff and withdrew, followed to the door by both father and daughters, who stood there kissing their hands and beaming with affection until he disappeared: though, by the way, he never once looked back, after he had crossed the threshold.

When they returned into the house, and were again alone in Mrs. Todgers's room, the two young ladies exhibited an unusual amount of gaiety; insomuch that they clapped their hands, and laughed, and looked with roguish aspects and a bantering air upon their dear papa. This conduct was so very unaccountable, that Mr. Pecksniff (being singularly grave himself) could scarcely choose but ask them what it meant; and took them to task, in his gentle manner, for yielding to such light emotions.

`If it was possible to divine any cause for this merriment, even the most remote,' he said, `I should not reprove you. But when you can have none whatever--oh, really, really!'

This admonition had so little effect on Mercy, that she was obliged to hold her handkerchief before her rosy lips, and to throw herself back in her chair, with every demonstration of extreme amusement; which want of duty so offended Mr. Pecksniff that he reproved her in set terms, and gave her his parental advice to correct herself in solitude and contemplation.

But at that juncture they were disturbed by the sound of voices in dispute; and as it proceeded from the next room, the subject matter of the altercation quickly reached their ears.

`I don't care that! Mrs. Todgers,' said the young gentleman who had been the youngest gentleman in company on the day of the festival; `I don't care that, ma'am,' said he, snapping his fingers, `for Jinkins.

Don't suppose I do.'

`I am quite certain you don't, sir,' replied Mrs. Todgers. `You have too independent a spirit, I know, to yield to anybody. And quite right.

There is no reason why you should give way to any gentleman. Everybody must be well aware of that.'

`I should think no more of admitting daylight into the fellow,' said the youngest gentleman, in a desperate voice, `than if he was a bulldog.'

Mrs. Todgers did not stop to inquire whether, as a matter of principle, there was any particular reason for admitting daylight even into a bull-dog, otherwise than by the natural channel of his eyes, but she seemed to wring her hands, and she moaned.

`Let him be careful,' said the youngest gentleman. `I give him warning.

No man shall step between me and the current of my vengeance. I know a Cove--' he used that familiar epithet in his agitation but corrected himself by adding, `a gentleman of property, I mean--who practises with a pair of pistols (fellows too,) of his own. If I am driven to borrow 'em, and to send at friend to Jinkins a tragedy will get into the papers. That's all.'

Again Mrs. Todgers moaned.

`I have borne this long enough,' said the youngest gentleman but now my soul rebels against it, and I won't stand it any longer. I left home originally, because I had that within me which wouldn't be domineered over by a sister; and do you think I'm going to be put down by him? No.'

`It is very wrong in Mr. Jinkins: I know it is perfectly inexcusable in Mr. Jinkins, if he intends it,' observed Mrs. Todgers `If he intends it!' cried the youngest gentleman. `Don't he interrupt and contradict me on every occasion? Does he ever fail to interpose himself between me and anything or anybody that he sees I have set my mind upon?

Does he make a point of always pretending to forget me, when he's pouring out the beer? Does he make bragging remarks about his razors, and insulting allusions to people who have no necessity to shave more than once a week?

But let him look out! He'll find himself shaved, pretty close, before long, and so I tell him.'

The young gentleman was mistaken in this closing sentence, inasmuch as he never told it to Jinkins, but always to Mrs. Todgers `However,' he said, `these are not proper subjects for ladies' ears.

All I've got to say to you, Mrs. Todgers, is, a week's notice from next Saturday. The same house can't contain that miscreant and me any longer.

If we get over the intermediate time without bloodshed, you may think yourself pretty fortunate. I don't myself expect we shall.'