Chapter 15. Mrs Flintwinch has another Dream

           Thedebilitatedoldhouseinthecity,wrappedinitsmantleofsoot,andleaningheavilyonthecrutchesthathadpartakenofitsdecayandwornoutwithit,neverknewahealthyoracheerfulinterval,letwhatwouldbetide.Ifthesunevertouchedit,itwasbutwitharay,andthatwasgoneinhalfanhour;ifthemoonlighteverfelluponit,itwasonlytoputafewpatchesonitsdolefulcloak,andmakeitlookmorewretched.Thestars,tobesure,coldlywatcheditwhenthenightsandthesmokewereclearenough;andallbadweatherstoodbyitwithararefidelity.Youshouldalikefindrain,hail,frost,andthawlingeringinthatdismalenclosurewhentheyhadvanishedfromotherplaces;andastosnow,youshouldseeitthereforweeks,longafterithadchangedfromyellowtoblack,slowlyweepingawayitsgrimylife.Theplacehadnootheradherents.Astostreetnoises,therumblingofwheelsinthelanemerelyrushedinatthegatewayingoingpast,andrushedoutagain:makingthelisteningMistressAfferyfeelasifsheweredeaf,andrecoveredthesenseofhearingbyinstantaneousflashes.Sowithwhistling,singing,talking,laughing,andallpleasanthumansounds.Theyleapedthegapinamoment,andwentupontheirway.

           ThevaryinglightoffireandcandleinMrsClennam’sroommadethegreatestchangethateverbrokethedeadmonotonyofthespot.Inhertwolongnarrowwindows,thefireshonesullenlyallday,andsullenlyallnight.Onrareoccasionsitflasheduppassionately,asshedid;butforthemostpartitwassuppressed,likeher,andpreyeduponitselfevenlyandslowly.