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Clennam was the unfortunate person at whom the challenge was hurled。
'One last remark；' resumed Flora； 'I was going to say I wish to make one
last explanation I wish to offer； Mr F。's Aunt and myself would not have
intruded on business hours Mr F。 having been in business and though the
wine trade still business is equally business call it what you will and
business habits are just the same as witness Mr F。 himself who had his
slippers always on the mat at ten minutes before six in the afternoon
and his boots inside the fender at ten minutes before eight in the
morning to the moment in all weathers light or dark……would not therefore
have intruded without a motive which being kindly meant it may be hoped
will be kindly taken Arthur； Mr Clennam far more proper； even Doyce and
Clennam probably more business…like。'
'Pray say nothing in the way of apology；' Arthur entreated。 'You are
always wele。'
'Very polite of you to say so Arthur……cannot remember Mr Clennam until
the word is out； such is the habit of times for ever fled； and so true
it is that oft in the stilly night ere slumber's chain has bound people；
fond memory brings the light of other days around people……very polite
but more polite than true I am afraid； for to go into the machinery
business without so much as sending a line or a card to papa……I don't
say me though there was a time but that is past and stern reality has
now my gracious never mind……does not look like it you must confess。'
Even Flora's mas seemed to have fled on this occasion； she was so
much more disjointed and voluble than in the preceding interview。
'Though indeed；' she hurried on； 'nothing else is to be expected and why
should it be expected and if it's not to be expected why should it be；
and I am far from blaming you or any one； When your mama and my papa
worried us to death and severed the golden bowl……I mean bond but I dare
say you know what I mean and if you don't you don't lose much and care
just as little I will venture to add……when they severed the golden bond
that bound us and threw us into fits of crying on the sofa nearly choked
at least myself everything was changed and in giving my hand to Mr F。 I
know I did so with my eyes open but he was so very unsettled and in such
low spirits that he had distractedly alluded to the river if not oil of
something from the chemist's and I did it for the best。'
'My good Flora； we settled that before。 It was all quite right。'
'It's perfectly clear you think so；' returned Flora； 'for you take it
very coolly； if I hadn't known it to be China I should have guessed
myself the Polar regions； dear Mr Clennam you are right however and I
cannot blame you but as to Doyce and Clennam papa's property being about
here we heard it from Pancks and but for him we never should have heard
one word about it I am satisfied。'
'No； no； don't say that。'
'What nonsense not to say it Arthur……Doyce and Clennam……easier and less
trying to me than Mr Clennam……when I know it and you know it too and
can't deny it。'
'But I do deny it； Flora。 I should soon have made you a friendly visit。'
'Ah！' said Flora； tossing her head。 'I dare say！' and she gave him
another of the old looks。 'However when Pancks told us I made up my mind
that Mr F。's Aunt and I would e and call because when papa……which was
before that……happened to mention her name to me and to say that you were
interested in her I said at the moment Good gracious why not have her
here then when there's anything to do instead of putting it out。'
'When you say Her；' observed Clennam； by this time pretty well
bewildered； 'do you mean Mr F。's……'
'My goodness； Arthur……Doyce and Clennam really easier to me with old
remembrances……who ever heard of Mr F。's Aunt doing needlework and going
out by the day？'
'Going out by the day！ Do you speak of Little Dorrit？' 'Why yes of
course；' returned Flora； 'and of all the strangest names I ever heard
the strangest； like a place down in the country with a turnpike； or a
favourite pony or a puppy or a bird or something from a seed…shop to be
put in a garden or a flower…pot and e up speckled。'
'Then； Flora；' said Arthur； with a sudden interest in the conversation；
'Mr Casby was so kind as to mention Little Dorrit to you； was he？ What
did he say？'
'Oh you know what papa is；' rejoined Flora； 'and how aggravatingly he
sits looking beautiful and turning his thumbs over and over one another
till he makes one giddy if one keeps one's eyes upon him； he said when
we were talking of you……I don't know who began the subject Arthur （Doyce
and Clennam） but I am sure it wasn't me； at least I hope not but you
really must excuse my confessing more on that point。'
'Certainly；' said Arthur。 'By all means。'
'You are very ready；' pouted Flora； ing to a sudden stop in a
captivating bashfulness； 'that I must admit； Papa said you had spoken of
her in an earnest way and I said what I have told you and that's all。'
'That's all？' said Arthur； a little disappointed。
'Except that when Pancks told us of your having embarked in this
business and with difficulty persuaded us that it was really you I said
to Mr F。's Aunt then we would e and ask you if it would be agreeable
to all parties that she should be engaged at our house when required
for I know she often goes to your mama's and I know that your mama has
a very touchy temper Arthur……Doyce and Clennam……or I never might have
married Mr F。 and might have been at this hour but I am running into
nonsense。'
'It was very kind of you； Flora； to think of this。'
Poor Flora rejoined with a plain sincerity which became her better than
her youngest glances； that she was glad he thought so。 She said it with
so much heart that Clennam would have given a great deal to buy his
old character of her on the spot； and throw it and the mermaid away for
ever。
'I think； Flora；' he said； 'that the employment you can give Little
Dorrit； and the kindness you can show her……'
'Yes and I will；' said Flora； quickly。
'I am sure of it……will be a great assistance and support to her。 I do
not feel that I have the right to tell you what I know of her； for I
acquired the knowledge confidentially； and under circumstances that
bind me to silence。 But I have an interest in the little creature； and
a respect for her that I cannot express to you。 Her life has been one
of such trial and devotion； and such quiet goodness； as you can scarcely
imagine。 I can hardly think of her； far less speak of her； without
feeling moved。 Let that feeling represent what I could tell you； and
mit her to your friendliness with my thanks。'
Once more he put out his hand frankly to poor Flora； once more poor
Flora couldn't accept it frankly； found it worth nothing openly； must
make the old intrigue and mystery of it。 As much to her own enjoyment as
to his dismay； she covered it with a corner of her shawl as she took it。
Then； looking towards the glass front of the counting…house； and seeing
two figures approaching； she cried with infinite relish； 'Papa！ Hush；
Arthur； for Mercy's sake！' and tottered back to her chair with an
amazing imitation of being in danger of swooning； in the dread surprise
and maidenly flutter of her spirits。
The Patriarch； meanwhile； came inanely beaming towards the
counting…house in the wake of Pancks。 Pancks opened the door for him；
towed him in； and retired to his own moorings in a corner。
'I heard from Flora；' said the Patriarch with his benevolent smile；
'that she was ing to call； ing to call。 And being out； I thought
I'd e also； thought I'd e also。'
The benign wisdom he infused into this declaration （not of itself
profound）； by means of his blue eyes； his shining head； and his long
white hair； was most impressive。 It seemed worth putting down among the
noblest sentiments enunciated by the best of men。 Also； when he said to
Clennam； seating himself in the proffered chair； 'And you are in a new
business； Mr Clennam？ I wish you well； sir； I wish you well！' he seemed
to have done benevolent wonders。
'Mrs Finching has been telling me； sir；' said Arthur； after making his
acknowledgments； the relict of the late Mr F。 meanwhile protesting； with
a ges