Seite 866 von 896

"No, miss," returned Jerry, "it shall not be named to you.

Second: them poor things well out o' this, and never no more will

I interfere with Mrs. Cruncher's flopping, never no more!"

"Whatever housekeeping arrangement that may be," said Miss Pross,

striving to dry her eyes and compose herself, "I have no doubt it

is best that Mrs. Cruncher should have it entirely under her own

superintendence.--O my poor darlings!"

"I go so far as to say, miss, moreover," proceeded Mr. Cruncher,

with a most alarming tendency to hold forth as from a

pulpit--"and let my words be took down and took to Mrs. Cruncher

through yourself--that wot my opinions respectin' flopping has

undergone a change, and that wot I only hope with all my heart as

Mrs. Cruncher may be a flopping at the present time."

"There, there, there! I hope she is, my dear man," cried the

distracted Miss Pross, "and I hope she finds it answering her

expectations."