s; but recovering, entered the
shop. He returned immediately, saying in a tone of despair

'Twenty-four pound ten!'

Miss Pecksniff, turning to receive this announcement, became conscious
of the observation of Tom Pinch and his sister.

'Oh, really!' cried Miss Pecksniff, glancing about her, as if for some
convenient means of sinking into the earth. 'Upon my word, I--there
never was such a--to think that one should be so very--Mr Augustus
Moddle, Miss Pinch!'

Miss Pecksniff was quite gracious to Miss Pinch in this triumphant
introduction; exceedingly gracious. She was more than gracious; she was
kind and cordial. Whether the recollection of the old service Tom had
rendered her in knocking Mr Jonas on the head had wrought this change in
her opinions; or whether her separation from her parent had reconciled
her to all human-kind, or to all that interesting portion of human-kind
which was not friendly to him; or whether the delight of having some new
female acquaintance to whom to communicate her interesting prospects was
paramount to every other consideration; cordial and kind Miss Pecksniff
was. And twice Miss Pecksniff kissed Miss Pinch upon the cheek.

'Augustus--Mr Pinch, you know. My dear girl!' said Miss Pecksniff,
aside. 'I never was so ashamed in my life.'

Ruth begged her not to think of it.

'I mind your brother less than anybody else,' simpered Miss Pecksniff.
'But the indelicacy of meeting any gentleman under such circumstances!
Augustus, my child, did you--'

Here Miss Pecksniff whispered in his ear. The suffering Moddle repeated:

'Twenty-four pound ten!'

'Oh, you silly man! I don't mean them,' said Miss Pecksniff. 'I am
speaking of the--'

Here she whispered him again.

'If it's the same patterned chintz as that in the window; thirty-two,
twelve, six,' said Moddle, with a sigh. 'And very dear.'

Miss Pecksniff stopped him from giving any further explanation by laying
her hand upon his lips, and betraying a soft embarrassment. She then
asked Tom Pinch which way he was going.

'I was going to see if I could find your sister,' answered Tom, 'to whom
I wished to say a few words. We were going to Mrs Todgers's, where I had
the pleasure of seeing her before.'

'It's of no use your going on, then,' said Cherry, 'for we have not
long left there; and I know she is not at home. But I'll take you to my
sister's house, if you please. Augustus--Mr Moddle, I mean--and myself,
are on our way to tea th