Тяжёлые времена

           Sparsitrepeatedtheejaculation,theshakeoftheheadoverhertea-cup,andthelonggulp,astakinguptheconversationagainatthepointwhereithadbeeninterrupted.

           ‘Anindividual,ma’am,’saidBitzer,‘hasneverbeenwhatheoughttohavebeen,sincehefirstcameintotheplace.Heisadissipated,extravagantidler.Heisnotworthhissalt,ma’am.Hewouldn’tgetiteither,ifhehadn’tafriendandrelationatcourt,ma’am!’

           ‘Ah—h!’saidMrs.Sparsit,withanothermelancholyshakeofherhead.

           ‘Ionlyhope,ma’am,’pursuedBitzer,‘thathisfriendandrelationmaynotsupplyhimwiththemeansofcarryingon.Otherwise,ma’am,weknowoutofwhosepocketthatmoneycomes.’

           ‘Ah—h!’sighedMrs.Sparsitagain,withanothermelancholyshakeofherhead.

           ‘Heistobepitied,ma’am.ThelastpartyIhavealludedto,istobepitied,ma’am,’saidBitzer.

           ‘Yes,Bitzer,’saidMrs.Sparsit.‘Ihavealwayspitiedthedelusion,always.’

           ‘Astoanindividual,ma’am,’saidBitzer,droppinghisvoiceanddrawingnearer,‘heisasimprovidentasanyofthepeopleinthistown.Andyouknowwhattheirimprovidenceis,ma’am.Noonecouldwishtoknowitbetterthanaladyofyoureminencedoes.’

           ‘Theywoulddowell,’returnedMrs.Sparsit,‘totakeexamplebyyou,Bitzer.’

           ‘Thankyou,ma’am.But,sinceyoudorefertome,nowlookatme,ma’am.Ihaveputbyalittle,ma’am,already.ThatgratuitywhichIreceiveatChristmas,ma’am:Inevertouchit.