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Theres mile-stones on the Dover road! With such mortal hostility towards the human race did she discharge this missile, that Clennam was quite at a loss how to defend himself; the rather as he had been already perplexed in his mind by the honour of a visit from this venerable lady, when it was plain she held him in the utmost abhorrence. He could not but look at her with disconcertment, as she sat breathing bitterness and scorn, and staring leagues away. Flora, however, received the remark as if it had been of a most apposite and agreeable nature; approvingly observing aloud that Mr F.s Aunt had a great deal of spirit. Stimulated either by this compliment, or by her burning indignation, that illustrious woman then added, Let him meet it if he can! And, with a rigid movement of her stony reticule (an appendage of great size and of a fossil appearance), indicated that Clennam was the unfortunate person at whom the challenge was hurled. One last remark, resumed Flora, I was going to say I wish to make one last explanation I wish to offer, Mr F.s Aunt and myself would not have intruded on business hours Mr F. having been in business and though the wine trade still business is equally business call it what you will and business habits are just the same as witness Mr F. himself who had his slippers always on the mat at ten minutes before six in the afternoon and his boots inside the fender at ten minutes before eight in the morning to the moment in all weathers light or darkwould not therefore have intruded without a motive which being kindly meant it may be hoped will be kindly taken Arthur, Mr Clennam far more proper, even Doyce and Clennam probably more business-like. Pray say nothing in the way of apology, Arthur entreated. You are always welcome. Very polite of you to say so Arthurcannot remember Mr Clennam until the word is out, such is the habit of times for ever fled, and so true it is that oft in the stilly night ere slumbers chain has bound people, fond memory brings the light of other days around peoplevery polite but more polite than true I am afraid, for to go into the machinery business without so much as sending a line or a card to papaI dont say me though there was a time but that is past and stern reality has now my gracious never minddoes not look like it you must confess. Even Floras commas seemed to have fled on this occasion; she was so much more disjointed and voluble than in the preceding interview. Though indeed, she hurried on, nothing else is to be expected and why should it be expected and if its not to be expected why should it be, and I am far from blaming you or any one, When your mama and my papa worried us to death and severed the golden bowlI mean bond but I dare say you know what I mean and if you dont you dont lose much and care just as little I will venture to addwhen they severed the golden bond that bound us and threw us into fits of crying on the sofa nearly choked at least myself everything was changed and in giving my hand to Mr F. I know I did so with my eyes open but he was so very unsettled and in such low spirits that he had distractedly alluded to the river if not oil of something from the chemists and I did it for the best. My good Flora, we settled that before. It was all quite right. Its perfectly clear you think so, returned Flora, for you take it very coolly, if I hadnt known it to be China I should have guessed myself the Polar regions, dear Mr Clennam you are right however and I cannot blame you but as to Doyce and Clennam papas property being about here we heard it from Pancks and but for him we never should have heard one word about it I am satisfied. No, no, dont say that. What nonsense not to say it ArthurDoyce and Clennameasier and less trying to me than Mr Clennamwhen I know it and you know it too and cant deny it. But I do deny it, Flora. I should soon have made you a friendly visit. |
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