attentive man and very respectful。 Young Chivery； too； really almost
with a delicate perception of one's position here。 A very well conducted
family indeed； the Chiveries。 Their behaviour gratifies me。'
The devoted Young John all this time regarded the family with reverence。
He never dreamed of disputing their pretensions； but did homage to the
miserable Mumbo jumbo they paraded。 As to resenting any affront from her
brother； he would have felt； even if he had not naturally been of a most
pacific disposition； that to wag his tongue or lift his hand against
that sacred gentleman would be an unhallowed act。 He was sorry that
his noble mind should take offence； still； he felt the fact to be not
inpatible with its nobility； and sought to propitiate and conciliate
that gallant soul。 Her father； a gentleman in misfortune……a gentleman of
a fine spirit and courtly manners； who always bore with him……he deeply
honoured。 Her sister he considered somewhat vain and proud； but a young
lady of infinite acplishments； who could not forget the past。 It was
an instinctive testimony to Little Dorrit's worth and difference from
all the rest； that the poor young fellow honoured and loved her for
being simply what she was。
The tobacco business round the corner of Horsemonger Lane was carried
out in a rural establishment one story high； which had the benefit of
the air from the yards of Horsemonger Lane jail； and the advantage of a
retired walk under the wall of that pleasant establishment。 The business
was of too modest a character to support a life…size Highlander； but it
maintained a little one on a bracket on the door…post； who looked like
a fallen Cherub that had found it necessary to take to a kilt。 From the
portal thus decorated； one Sunday after an early dinner of baked viands；
Young John issued forth on his usual Sunday errand； not empty…handed；
but with his offering of cigars。 He was neatly attired in a
plum…coloured coat； with as large a collar of black velvet as his figure
could carry； a silken waistcoat； bedecked with golden sprigs； a chaste
neckerchief much in vogue at that day； representing a preserve of
lilac pheasants on a buff ground； pantaloons so highly decorated with
side…stripes that each leg was a three…stringed lute； and a hat of
state very high and hard。 When the prudent Mrs Chivery perceived that
in addition to these adornments her John carried a pair of white kid
gloves； and a cane like a little finger…post； surmounted by an ivory
hand marshalling him the way that he should go； and when she saw him； in
this heavy marching order； turn the corner to the right； she remarked to
Mr Chivery； who was at home at the time； that she thought she knew which
way the wind blew。
The Collegians were entertaining a considerable number of visitors that
Sunday afternoon； and their Father kept his room for the purpose of
receiving presentations。 After making the tour of the yard； Little
Dorrit's lover with a hurried heart went up…stairs； and knocked with his
knuckles at the Father's door。
'e in； e in！' said a gracious voice。 The Father's voice； her
father's； the Marshalsea's father's。 He was seated in his black velvet
cap； with his newspaper； three…and…sixpence accidentally left on the
table； and two chairs arranged。 Everything prepared for holding his
Court。
'Ah； Young John！ How do you do； how do you do！'
'Pretty well； I thank you； sir。 I hope you are the same。'
'Yes； John Chivery； yes。 Nothing to plain of。'
'I have taken the liberty； sir； of……'
'Eh？' The Father of the Marshalsea always lifted up his eyebrows at this
point； and became amiably distraught and smilingly absent in mind。
'……A few cigars； sir。'
'Oh！' （For the moment； excessively surprised。） 'Thank you； Young John；
thank you。 But really； I am afraid I am too……No？ Well then； I will say
no more about it。 Put them on the mantelshelf； if you please； Young
John。 And sit down； sit down。 You are not a stranger； John。'
'Thank you； sir； I am sure……Miss；' here Young John turned the great hat
round and round upon his left…hand； like a slowly twirling mouse…cage；
'Miss Amy quite well； sir？' 'Yes； John； yes； very well。 She is out。'
'Indeed； sir？'
'Yes； John。 Miss Amy is gone for an airing。 My young people all go out a
good deal。 But at their time of life； it's natural； John。'
'Very much so； I am sure； sir。'
'An airing。 An airing。 Yes。' He was blandly tapping his fingers on
the table； and casting his eyes up at the window。 'Amy has gone for
an airing on the Iron Bridge。 She has bee quite partial to the Iron
Bridge of late； and seems to like to walk there better than anywhere。'
He returned to conversation。 'Your father is not on duty at present； I
think； John？'
'No； sir； he es on later in the afternoon。' Another twirl of the
great hat； and then Young John said； rising； 'I am afraid I must wish
you good day； sir。'
'So soon？ Good day； Young John。 Nay； nay；' with the utmost
condescension； 'never mind your glove； John。 Shake hands with it on。 You
are no stranger here； you know。'
Highly gratified by the kindness of his reception； Young John descended
the staircase。 On his way down he met some Collegians bringing up
visitors to be presented； and at that moment Mr Dorrit happened to call
over the banisters with particular distinctness； 'Much obliged to you
for your little testimonial； John！'
Little Dorrit's lover very soon laid down his penny on the tollplate of
the Iron Bridge； and came upon it looking about him for the well…known
and well…beloved figure。 At first he feared she was not there； but as he
walked on towards the Middlesex side； he saw her standing still； looking
at the water。 She was absorbed in thought； and he wondered what
she might be thinking about。 There were the piles of city roofs and
chimneys； more free from smoke than on week…days； and there were the
distant masts and steeples。 Perhaps she was thinking about them。
Little Dorrit mused so long； and was so entirely preoccupied； that
although her lover stood quiet for what he thought was a long time； and
twice or thrice retired and came back again to the former spot； still
she did not move。 So； in the end； he made up his mind to go on； and seem
to e upon her casually in passing； and speak to her。 The place was
quiet； and now or never was the time to speak to her。
He walked on； and she did not appear to hear his steps until he was
close upon her。 When he said 'Miss Dorrit！' she started and fell back
from him； with an expression in her face of fright and something like
dislike that caused him unutterable dismay。 She had often avoided him
before……always； indeed； for a long； long while。 She had turned away and
glided off so often when she had seen him ing toward her； that the
unfortunate Young John could not think it accidental。 But he had hoped
that it might be shyness； her retiring character； her foreknowledge of
the state of his heart； anything short of aversion。 Now； that momentary
look had said； 'You； of all people！ I would rather have seen any one on
earth than you！'
It was but a momentary look； inasmuch as she checked it； and said in her
soft little voice； 'Oh； Mr John！ Is it you？' But