It was made out of an old brick house, of which a part had been altogether

pulled down, and another part had been changed into the present cottage;

so there was a hale elderly portion, to represent Mr and Mrs Meagles,

and a young picturesque, very pretty portion to represent Pet. There was

even the later addition of a conservatory sheltering itself against it,

uncertain of hue in its deep-stained glass, and in its more transparent

portions flashing to the sun's rays, now like fire and now like harmless

water drops; which might have stood for Tattycoram. Within view was

the peaceful river and the ferry-boat, to moralise to all the inmates

saying: Young or old, passionate or tranquil, chafing or content, you,

thus runs the current always. Let the heart swell into what discord it

will, thus plays the rippling water on the prow of the ferry-boat ever

the same tune. Year after year, so much allowance for the drifting of

the boat, so many miles an hour the flowing of the stream, here the

rushes, there the lilies, nothing uncertain or unquiet, upon this road

that steadily runs away; while you, upon your flowing road of time, are

so capricious and distracted.

The bell at the gate had scarcely sounded when Mr Meagles came out to

receive them. Mr Meagles had scarcely come out, when Mrs Meagles came

out. Mrs Meagles had scarcely come out, when Pet came out. Pet scarcely

had come out, when Tattycoram came out. Never had visitors a more

hospitable reception.

'Here we are, you see,' said Mr Meagles, 'boxed up, Mr Clennam, within

our own home-limits, as if we were never going to expand--that is,

travel--again. Not like Marseilles, eh? No allonging and marshonging

here!' 'A different kind of beauty, indeed!' said Clennam, looking about him.

'But, Lord bless me!' cried Mr Meagles, rubbing his hands with a relish,

'it was an uncommonly pleasant thing being in quarantine, wasn't it?

Do you know, I have often wished myself back again? We were a capital

party.' This was Mr Meagles's invariable habit. Always to object to everything

while he was travelling, and always to want to get back to it when he

was not travelling.

'If it was summer-time,' said Mr Meagles, 'which I wish it was on your

account, and in order that you might see the place at its best, you

would hardly be able to hear yourself speak for birds. Being practical

people, we never allow anybody to scare the birds; and the birds, being

practical people too, come about us in myriads. We are delighted to see

you, Clennam (if you'll allow me, I shall drop the Mister); I heartily

assure you, we are delighted.'




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