During the whole of this affectionate display she laughed to a most immoderate extent: in which hilarious indulgence even the prudent Cherry joined.
′Tut, tut,′ said Mr Pecksniff, pushing his latest-born away and running his fingers through his hair, as he resumed his tranquil face. ′What folly is this! Let us take heed how we laugh without reason lest we cry with it. What is the domestic news since yesterday? John Westlock is gone, I hope?′
′Indeed, no,′ said Charity.
′And why not?′ returned her father. ′His term expired yesterday. And his box was packed, I know; for I saw it, in the morning, standing in the hall.′
′He slept last night at the Dragon,′ returned the young lady, ′and had Mr Pinch to dine with him. They spent the evening together, and Mr Pinch was not home till very late.′
′And when I saw him on the stairs this morning, Pa,′ said Mercy with her usual sprightliness, ′he looked, oh goodness, SUCH a monster! with his face all manner of colours, and his eyes as dull as if they had been boiled, and his head aching dreadfully, I am sure from the look of it, and his clothes smelling, oh it′s impossible to say how strong, oh′—here the young lady shuddered—′of smoke and punch.′
′Now I think,′ said Mr Pecksniff with his accustomed gentleness, though still with the air of one who suffered under injury without complaint, ′I think Mr Pinch might have done better than choose for his companion one who, at the close of a long intercourse, had endeavoured, as he knew, to wound my feelings. I am not quite sure that this was delicate in Mr Pinch. I am not quite sure that this was kind in Mr Pinch. I will go further and say, I am not quite sure that this was even ordinarily grateful in Mr Pinch.′
′But what can anyone expect from Mr Pinch!′ cried Charity, with as strong and scornful an emphasis on the name as if it would have given her unspeakable pleasure to express it, in an acted charade, on the calf of that gentleman′s leg.
′Aye, aye,′ returned her father, raising his hand mildly: ′it is very well to say what can we expect from Mr Pinch, but Mr Pinch is a fellow-creature, my dear; Mr Pinch is an item in the vast total of humanity, my love; and we have a right, it is our duty, to expect in Mr Pinch some development of those better qualities, the possession of which in our own persons inspires our humble self-respect. No,′ continued Mr Pecksniff. ′No! Heaven forbid that I should say, nothing can be expected from Mr Pinch; or that I should say, nothing can be expected from any man alive (even the most degraded, which Mr Pinch is not, no, really); but Mr Pinch has disappointed me; he has hurt me; I think a little the worse of him on this account, but not if human nature. Oh, no, no!′
′Hark!′ said Miss Charity, holding up her finger, as a gentle rap was heard at the street door. ′There is the creature! Now mark my words, he has come back with John Westlock for his box, and is going to help him to take it to the mail. Only mark my words, if that isn′t his intention!′
Even as she spoke, the box appeared to be in progress of conveyance from the house, but after a brief murmuring of question and answer, it was put down again, and somebody knocked at the parlour door.
′Come in!′ cried Mr Pecksniff—not severely; only virtuously.
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