Крихітка Дорріт

Chapter 33. Mrs Merdle’s Complaint

           Thentheparrotshriekedagain,andsheputupherglasstolookathim,andsaid,‘Bird!Dobequiet!’

           ‘But,youngmen,’resumedMrsMerdle,‘andbyyoungmenyouknowwhatImean,mylove—Imeanpeople’ssonswhohavetheworldbeforethem—theymustplacethemselvesinabetterpositiontowardsSocietybymarriage,orSocietyreallywillnothaveanypatiencewiththeirmakingfoolsofthemselves.Dreadfullyworldlyallthissounds,’saidMrsMerdle,leaningbackinhernestandputtingupherglassagain,‘doesitnot?’

           ‘Butitistrue,’saidMrsGowan,withahighlymoralair.

           ‘Mydear,itisnottobedisputedforamoment,’returnedMrsMerdle;‘becauseSocietyhasmadeupitsmindonthesubject,andthereisnothingmoretobesaid.Ifwewereinamoreprimitivestate,ifwelivedunderroofsofleaves,andkeptcowsandsheepandcreaturesinsteadofbanker’saccounts(whichwouldbedelicious;mydear,Iampastoraltoadegree,bynature),wellandgood.Butwedon’tliveunderleaves,andkeepcowsandsheepandcreatures.Iperfectlyexhaustmyselfsometimes,inpointingoutthedistinctiontoEdmundSparkler.’

           MrsGowan,lookingoverhergreenfanwhenthisyounggentleman’snamewasmentioned,repliedasfollows:

           ‘Mylove,youknowthewretchedstateofthecountry—thoseunfortunateconcessionsofJohnBarnacle’s!—andyouthereforeknowthereasonsformybeingaspoorasThingummy.’

           ‘Achurchmouse?’MrsMerdlesuggestedwithasmile.

           ‘Iwasthinkingoftheotherproverbialchurchperson—Job,’saidMrsGowan.‘Eitherwilldo.

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