Mrs. Sparsit

           Mr.Bounderbybeingabachelor,anelderlyladypresidedoverhisestablishment,inconsiderationofacertainannualstipend.Mrs.Sparsitwasthislady’sname;andshewasaprominentfigureinattendanceonMr.Bounderby’scar,asitrolledalongintriumphwiththeBullyofhumilityinside.

           For,Mrs.Sparsithadnotonlyseendifferentdays,butwashighlyconnected.ShehadagreatauntlivingintheseverytimescalledLadyScadgers.Mr.Sparsit,deceased,ofwhomshewastherelict,hadbeenbythemother’ssidewhatMrs.Sparsitstillcalled‘aPowler.’StrangersoflimitedinformationanddullapprehensionweresometimesobservednottoknowwhataPowlerwas,andeventoappearuncertainwhetheritmightbeabusiness,orapoliticalparty,oraprofessionoffaith.Thebetterclassofminds,however,didnotneedtobeinformedthatthePowlerswereanancientstock,whocouldtracethemselvessoexceedinglyfarbackthatitwasnotsurprisingiftheysometimeslostthemselves—whichtheyhadratherfrequentlydone,asrespectedhorse-flesh,blind-hookey,Hebrewmonetarytransactions,andtheInsolventDebtors’Court.

           ThelateMr.Sparsit,beingbythemother’ssideaPowler,marriedthislady,beingbythefather’ssideaScadgers.