Крихітка Дорріт

Chapter 13. Patriarchal

           ‘sAuntmayhavethrownintheseobservationsonsomesystemofherown,anditmayhavebeeningenious,orevensubtle:butthekeytoitwaswanted.

           Theneatly-servedandwell-cookeddinner(foreverythingaboutthePatriarchalhouseholdpromotedquietdigestion)beganwithsomesoup,somefriedsoles,abutter-boatofshrimpsauce,andadishofpotatoes.Theconversationstillturnedonthereceiptofrents.MrF.‘sAunt,afterregardingthecompanyfortenminuteswithamalevolentgaze,deliveredthefollowingfearfulremark:

           ‘WhenwelivedatHenley,Barnes’sganderwasstolebytinkers.’

           MrPanckscourageouslynoddedhisheadandsaid,‘Allright,ma’am.’ButtheeffectofthismysteriouscommunicationuponClennamwasabsolutelytofrightenhim.Andanothercircumstanceinvestedthisoldladywithpeculiarterrors.Thoughshewasalwaysstaring,sheneveracknowledgedthatshesawanyindividual.Thepoliteandattentivestrangerwoulddesire,say,toconsultherinclinationsonthesubjectofpotatoes.Hisexpressiveactionwouldbehopelesslylostuponher,andwhatcouldhedo?Nomancouldsay,‘MrF.‘sAunt,willyoupermitme?’Everymanretiredfromthespoon,asClennamdid,cowedandbaffled.

           Therewasmutton,asteak,andanapple-pie—nothingintheremotestwayconnectedwithganders—andthedinnerwentonlikeadisenchantedfeast,asittrulywas.

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