Крошка Доррит

Chapter 30. Closing in

           ShallInameitthehistoryofthishouse?’

           Leaningoverthesofa,poisedontwolegsofhischairandhisleftelbow;thathandoftentappingherarmtobeathiswordshome;hislegscrossed;hisrighthandsometimesarranginghishair,sometimessmoothinghismoustache,sometimesstrikinghisnose,alwaysthreateningherwhateveritdid;coarse,insolent,rapacious,cruel,andpowerful,hepursuedhisnarrativeathisease.

           ‘Infine,then,Inameitthehistoryofthishouse.Icommenceit.Therelivehere,letussuppose,anuncleandnephew.Theuncle,arigidoldgentlemanofstrongforceofcharacter;thenephew,habituallytimid,repressed,andunderconstraint.’

           MistressAffery,fixedlyattentiveinthewindow-seat,bitingtherolledupendofherapron,andtremblingfromheadtofoot,herecriedout,‘Jeremiah,keepofffromme!I’veheerd,inmydreams,ofArthur’sfatherandhisuncle.He’satalkingofthem.Itwasbeforemytimehere;butI’veheerdinmydreamsthatArthur’sfatherwasapoor,irresolute,frightenedchap,whohadhadeverythingbuthisorphanlifescaredoutofhimwhenhewasyoung,andthathehadnovoiceinthechoiceofhiswifeeven,buthisunclechoseher.Thereshesits!Iheerditinmydreams,andyousaidittoherownself.’

           AsMrFlintwinchshookhisfistather,andasMrsClennamgazeduponher,Rigaudkissedhishandtoher.

           ‘Perfectlyright,dearMadameFlintwinch.Youhaveageniusfordreaming.’

           ‘Idon’twantnoneofyourpraises,’returnedAffery.‘Idon’twanttohavenothingatalltosaytoyou.

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