'
The great stress on the two last words suggested to Tom that he was
expected to say something in reference to them. So he said.
'Only at present! Are you going home again soon?'
'No, Mr Pinch,' returned Charity. 'No, thank you. No! A mother-in-law
who is younger than--I mean to say, who is as nearly as possible about
the same age as one's self, would not quite suit my spirit. Not quite!'
said Cherry, with a spiteful shiver.
'I thought from your saying "at present"'--Tom observed.
'Really, upon my word! I had no idea you would press me so very closely
on the subject, Mr Pinch,' said Charity, blushing, 'or I should not have
been so foolish as to allude to--oh really!--won't you walk in?'
Tom mentioned, to excuse himself, that he had an appointment in
Furnival's Inn, and that coming from Islington he had taken a few wrong
turnings, and arrived at the Monument instead. Miss Pecksniff simpered
very much when he asked her if she knew the way to Furnival's Inn, and
at length found courage to reply.
'A gentleman who is a friend of mine, or at least who is not exactly a
friend so much as a sort of acquaintance--Oh upon my word, I hardly
know what I say, Mr Pinch; you mustn't suppose there is any engagement
between us; or at least if there is, that it is at all a settled thing
as yet--is going to Furnival's Inn immediately, I believe upon a little
business, and I am sure he would be very glad to accompany you, so as
to prevent your going wrong again.
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