“Oh, Mr. Pickwick,” said Mrs. Bardell, trembling with agitation, “you are very kind, sir.”
“It’ll save you a good deal of trouble, won’t it?” said Mr. Pickwick.
“Oh, I never thought anything of the trouble, sir,” replied Mrs. Bardell; “and, of course, I should take more trouble to please you then, than ever; but it is so kind of you, Mr. Pickwick, to have so much consideration for my loneliness.”
“Ah, to be sure,” said Mr. Pickwick; “I never thought of that. When I am in town, you’ll always have somebody to sit with you. To be sure, so you will.”
“I’m sure I ought to be a very happy woman,” said Mrs. Bardell.
“And your little boy—” said Mr. Pickwick.
“Bless his heart!” interposed Mrs. Bardell, with a maternal sob.
“He, too, will have a companion,” resumed Mr. Pickwick, “a lively one, who’ll teach him, I’ll be bound, more tricks in a week than he would ever learn in a year.” And Mr. Pickwick smiled placidly.
“Oh you dear—” said Mrs. Bardell.
Mr. Pickwick started.