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Before Maggy could open the door, Mr Pancks, opening it from without, stood without a hat and with his bare head in the wildest condition, looking at Clennam and Little Dorrit, over her shoulder. He had a lighted cigar in his hand, and brought with him airs of ale and tobacco smoke. Pancks the gipsy, he observed out of breath, fortune-telling. He stood dingily smiling, and breathing hard at them, with a most curious air; as if, instead of being his proprietors grubber, he were the triumphant proprietor of the Marshalsea, the Marshal, all the turnkeys, and all the Collegians. In his great self- satisfaction he put his cigar to his lips (being evidently no smoker), and took such a pull at it, with his right eye shut up tight for the purpose, that he underwent a convulsion of shuddering and choking. But even in the midst of that paroxysm, he still essayed to repeat his favourite introduction of himself, Pa-ancks the gy- ypsy, fortune-telling. I am spending the evening with the rest of em, said Pancks. Ive been singing. Ive been taking a part in White sand and grey sand. I dont know anything about it. Never mind. Ill take any part in anything. Its all the same, if youre loud enough. At first Clennam supposed him to be intoxicated. But he soon perceived that though he might be a little the worse (or better) for ale, the staple of his excitement was not brewed from malt, or distilled from any grain or berry. How dye do, Miss Dorrit? said Pancks. I thought you wouldnt mind my running round, and looking in for a moment. Mr Clennam I heard was here, from Mr Dorrit. How are you, Sir? Clennam thanked him, and said he was glad to see him so gay. Gay! said Pancks. Im in wonderful feather, sir. I cant stop a minute, or I shall be missed, and I dont want em to miss me. Eh, Miss Dorrit? He seemed to have an insatiate delight in appealing to her and looking at her; excitedly sticking his hair up at the same moment, like a dark species of cockatoo. I havent been here half an hour. I knew Mr Dorrit was in the chair, and I said, Ill go and support him! I ought to be down in Bleeding Heart Yard by rights; but I can worry them to-morrow.Eh, Miss Dorrit? His little black eyes sparkled electrically. His very hair seemed to sparkle as he roughened it. He was in that highly-charged state that one might have expected to draw sparks and snaps from him by presenting a knuckle to any part of his figure. Capital company here, said Pancks. Eh, Miss Dorrit? She was half afraid of him, and irresolute what to say. He laughed, with a nod towards Clennam. Dont mind him, Miss Dorrit. Hes one of us. We agreed that you shouldnt take on to mind me before people, but we didnt mean Mr Clennam. Hes one of us. Hes in it. Ant you, Mr Clennam?Eh, Miss Dorrit? The excitement of this strange creature was fast communicating itself to Clennam. Little Dorrit with amazement, saw this, and observed that they exchanged quick looks. I was making a remark, said Pancks, but I declare I forget what it was. Oh, I know! Capital company here. Ive been treating em all round.Eh, Miss Dorrit? Very generous of you, she returned, noticing another of the quick looks between the two. Not at all, said Pancks. Dont mention it. Im coming into my property, thats the fact. I can afford to be liberal. I think Ill give em a treat here. Tables laid in the yard. Bread in stacks. Pipes in faggots. |
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