"This 'Really you said Mr. Pecksniff, with dismal tenderness. mustn't." 66 "Don't "It's not me," said Mr. Pecksniff. suppose it's me: it's the voice; it's her voice." Mrs. Pecksniff deceased must have had an unusually thick and husky voice for a lady, and rather a stuttering voice, and to say the truth somewhat of a drunken voice, if it had ever borne much resemblance to that in which Mr. Pecksniff spoke just then. But perhaps this was delusion on his part. "It has been a day of enjoyment, Mrs. Todgers, but still it has been a day of torture. It has reminded me of my loneliness. What am I in the world?" 66 An excellent gentleman, Mr. Pecksniff,” said Mrs. Todgers. "There is consolation in that too," cried Mr. Pecksniff, “am I?” "There is no better man living," said Mrs. Todgers, "I am sure. Mr. Pecksniff smiled through his tears, and slightly shook his head. "You are very good," he said, "thank you. It is a great happiness to me, Mrs. Todgers, to make young people happy. The happiness of my pupils is my chief object. I dote upon 'em. They dote upon me too. times." Some "When they say they haven't improved, ma'am,” whispered Mr. Pecksniff, looking at her with profound mystery, and motioning to her to advance her ear a little closer to his mouth. "When they say they haven't improved, ma'am, and the premium was too high, they lie! I shouldn't wish it to be mentioned; you will understand me; but I say to you as to an old friend, they lie." 66 Base wretches they must be !" Todgers. 66 said Mrs. Madam," said Mr. Pecksniff, "you are right. I respect you for that observation. A word in your ear. To Parents and Guardians. This is in confidence, Mrs. Todgers?" "The strictest, of course!" cried that lady. "To Parents and Guardians," repeated Mr. Pecksniff. "An eligible opportunity now offers, which unites the advantages of the best practical architectural education with the comforts of a home, and the constant association with some, who, however humble their sphere and limited their capacity —observe !—are not unmindful of their moral responsibilities." Mrs. Todgers looked a little puzzled to know what this might mean, as well she might; for it was, as the reader may perchance remember, Mr. Pecksniff's usual form of advertisement when he wanted a pupil; and seemed to have no particular reference, at present, to anything. But Mr. Pecksniff held up his finger as a caution to her not to interrupt him. "Do you know any parent or guardian, Mrs. Todgers," said Mr. Pecksniff, who desires to avail himself of such an opportunity for a young gentleman? An orphan would be preferred. Do 66 you know of any orphan with three or four hundred pound? Mrs. Todgers reflected, and shook her head. "When you hear of an orphan with three or four hundred pound," said Mr. Pecksniff, "let that dear orphan's friends apply, by letter post-paid, to S. P., Post-office, Salisbury. I don't know who he is, exactly. Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Todgers,” said Mr. Pecksniff, falling heavily against her : Chronic-chronic! Let's have a little drop of something to drink.” 66 66 "Bless my life, Miss Pecksniffs!" cried Mrs. Todgers, aloud, your dear pa 's took very poorly!" Mr. Pecksniff straightened himself by a surprising effort, as every one turned hastily towards him; and standing on his feet, regarded the assembly with a look of ineffable wisdom. Gradually it gave place to a smile; a feeble, helpless, melancholy smile; blank, almost to sickliness. 'Do not repine, my friends," said Mr. Pecksniff, tenderly. "Do not weep for me. It is chronic." And with these words, after making a futile attempt to pull off his shoes, he fell into the fire-place. 66 The youngest gentleman in company had him out in a second. Yes, before a hair upon his head was singed, he had him on the hearth-rug.--Her father! She was almost beside herself. So was her sister. Jinkins consoled them both. They all consoled them. Everybody had something to say, except the youngest gentleman in company, who with a noble self-devotion did the heavy work, and held up Mr. Pecksniff's head without being taken notice of by anybody. At last they gathered round, and agreed to carry him upstairs to bed. The youngest gentleman in company was rebuked by Jinkins for tearing Mr. Pecksniff's coat! Ha, ha! But no matter. They carried him upstairs, and crushed the youngest gentleman at every step. His bedroom was at the top of the house, and it was a long way ; but they got him there in course of time. He asked them frequently on the road for a little drop of something to drink. It seemed an idiosyncrasy. The youngest gentleman in company proposed a draught of water. Mr. Pecksniff called him opprobrious names for the suggestion. Jinkins and Gander took the rest upon themselves, and made him as comfortable as they could, on the outside of his bed; and when he seemed disposed to sleep, they left him. But before they had all gained the bottom of the staircase, a vision of Mr. Pecksniff, strangely attired, was seen to flutter on the top landing. He desired to collect their sentiments, it seemed, upon the nature of human life. 66 My friends," cried Mr. Pecksniff, looking over the banisters, "let us improve our minds by mutual inquiry and discussion. Let us be moral. Let us contemplate existence. Where is Jinkins?" "Here," cried that gentleman. "Go to bed again!" "To bed!" said Mr. Pecksniff. "Bed! "Tis the voice of the sluggard, I hear him complain, you have woke me too soon, I must slumber again.' If any young orphan will repeat the remainder of that simple piece from Dr. Watts's collection an eligible opportunity now offers." Nobody volunteered. Cool and refreshThe legs of the a beautiful prowooden legs, and the anatomy of Do you know," "This is very soothing," said Mr. Pecksniff, after a pause. 166 Extremely so. ing; particularly to the legs! human subject, my friends, are duction. Compare them with observe the difference between nature and the anatomy of art. said Mr. Pecksniff, leaning over the banisters, with an odd recollection of his familiar manner among new pupils at home, “that I should very much like to see Mrs. Todgers's notion of a wooden leg, if perfectly agreeable to herself!" 66 XXXVI Mr. Chadband discourses on Terewth "I HEAR a voice," says Chadband; "is it a still small voice, my friends? I fear not, though I fain would hope so ("Ah-h!" from Mrs. Snagsby.) 66 Which says, I don't know. Then I will tell you why. I say this brother, present here among us, is devoid of parents, devoid of relations, devoid of flocks of herds, devoid of gold, of silver, and of precious stones, because he is devoid of the light that shines in upon some of us. What is that light? What is it? I ask you light?" what is that |