'They baulk themselves continually. I saw the words on
Todgers's lips for months and months and months, before he said 'em.'
Miss Pecksniff submitted that Todgers might not have been a fair
specimen.
'Oh yes, he was. Oh bless you, yes, my dear. I was very particular in
those days, I assure you,' said Mrs Todgers, bridling. 'No, no. You give
Mr Moddle a little encouragement, Miss Pecksniff, if you wish him to
speak; and he'll speak fast enough, depend upon it.'
'I am sure I don't know what encouragement he would have, Mrs Todgers,'
returned Charity. 'He walks with me, and plays cards with me, and he
comes and sits alone with me.'
'Quite right,' said Mrs Todgers. 'That's indispensable, my dear.'
'And he sits very close to me.'
'Also quite correct,' said Mrs Todgers.
'And he looks at me.'
'To be sure he does,' said Mrs Todgers.
'And he has his arm upon the back of the chair or sofa, or whatever it
is--behind me, you know.'
'I should think so,' said Mrs Todgers.
'And then he begins to cry!'
Mrs Todgers admitted that he might do better than that; and might
undoubtedly profit by the recollection of the great Lord Nelson's signal
at the battle of Trafalgar.
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