'
'And what can do more, Mrs Gamp?' exclaimed the undertaker as he emptied
his glass and smacked his lips.
'Nothing in the world, sir.'
'Nothing in the world,' repeated Mr Mould. 'You are right, Mrs Gamp.
Why do people spend more money'--here he filled his glass again--'upon a
death, Mrs Gamp, than upon a birth? Come, that's in your way; you ought
to know. How do you account for that now?'
'Perhaps it is because an undertaker's charges comes dearer than a
nurse's charges, sir,' said Mrs Gamp, tittering, and smoothing down her
new black dress with her hands.
'Ha, ha!' laughed Mr Mould. 'You have been breakfasting at somebody's
expense this morning, Mrs Gamp.' But seeing, by the aid of a little
shaving-glass which hung opposite, that he looked merry, he composed his
features and became sorrowful.
'Many's the time that I've not breakfasted at my own expense along of
your recommending, sir; and many's the time I hope to do the same in
time to come,' said Mrs Gamp, with an apologetic curtsey.
'So be it,' replied Mr Mould, 'please Providence. No, Mrs Gamp;
I'll tell you why it is.
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