“And it does her credit!” cries the Captain.
“I give you joy, Mr Toots!” says old Sol.
“Thank’ee,” chuckles Mr Toots, “I’m very much obliged to you. I knew that you’d be glad to hear, and so I came down myself. We’re positively getting on, you know. There’s Florence, and Susan, and now here’s another little stranger.”
“A female stranger?” inquires the Captain.
“Yes, Captain Gills,” says Mr Toots, “and I’m glad of it. The oftener we can repeat that most extraordinary woman, my opinion is, the better!”
“Stand by!” says the Captain, turning to the old case-bottle with no throat—for it is evening, and the Midshipman’s usual moderate provision of pipes and glasses is on the board. “Here’s to her, and may she have ever so many more!”
“Thank’ee, Captain Gills,” says the delighted Mr Toots. “I echo the sentiment. If you’ll allow me, as my so doing cannot be unpleasant to anybody, under the circumstances, I think I’ll take a pipe.”
Mr Toots begins to smoke, accordingly, and in the openness of his heart is very loquacious.
“Of all the remarkable instances that that delightful woman has given of her excellent sense, Captain Gills and Mr Sols,” said Mr Toots, “I think none is more remarkable than the perfection with which she has understood my devotion to Miss Dombey.”
Both his auditors assent.