When he returned to the street, and had knocked at the bright brass

knocker, he was informed that she had come, and was shown up-stairs to

Flora's breakfast-room. Little Dorrit was not there herself, but Flora

was, and testified the greatest amazement at seeing him.

'Good gracious, Arthur--Doyce and Clennam!' cried that lady, 'who would

have ever thought of seeing such a sight as this and pray excuse a

wrapper for upon my word I really never and a faded check too which

is worse but our little friend is making me, not that I need mind

mentioning it to you for you must know that there are such things a

skirt, and having arranged that a trying on should take place after

breakfast is the reason though I wish not so badly starched.'

'I ought to make an apology,' said Arthur, 'for so early and abrupt a

visit; but you will excuse it when I tell you the cause.'

'In times for ever fled Arthur,' returned Mrs Finching, 'pray excuse

me Doyce and Clennam infinitely more correct and though unquestionably

distant still 'tis distance lends enchantment to the view, at least I

don't mean that and if I did I suppose it would depend considerably on

the nature of the view, but I'm running on again and you put it all out

of my head.' She glanced at him tenderly, and resumed:

'In times for ever fled I was going to say it would have sounded

strange indeed for Arthur Clennam--Doyce and Clennam naturally quite

different--to make apologies for coming here at any time, but that is

past and what is past can never be recalled except in his own case as

poor Mr F. said when he was in spirits Cucumber and therefore never ate

it.' She was making the tea when Arthur came in, and now hastily finished

that operation. 'Papa,' she said, all mystery and whisper, as she shut down the tea-pot

lid, 'is sitting prosingly breaking his new laid egg in the back parlour

over the City article exactly like the Woodpecker Tapping and need never

know that you are here, and our little friend you are well aware may be

fully trusted when she comes down from cutting out on the large table

overhead.' Arthur then told her, in the fewest words, that it was their little

friend he came to see; and what he had to announce to their little

friend. At which astounding intelligence, Flora clasped her hands,

fell into a tremble, and shed tears of sympathy and pleasure, like the

good-natured creature she really was.




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