Page 292 - bleak-house

can be imparted, he can impart. But there ARE things—‘
He took another pinch of snuff and made the bow again, as
if to add, ‘This kind of thing, for instance.’
I glanced towards the centre of the room, where Miss
Jellyby’s lover, now engaged with single pupils, was under-
going greater drudgery than ever.
‘My amiable child,’ murmured Mr. Turveydrop, adjust-
ing his cravat.
‘Your son is indefatigable,’ said I.
‘It is my reward,’ said Mr. Turveydrop, ‘to hear you say
so. In some respects, he treads in the footsteps of his saint-
ed mother. She was a devoted creature. But wooman, lovely
wooman,’ said Mr. Turveydrop with very disagreeable gal-
lantry, ‘what a sex you are!’
I rose and joined Miss Jellyby, who was by this time put-
ting on her bonnet. The time allotted to a lesson having fully
elapsed, there was a general putting on of bonnets. When
Miss Jellyby and the unfortunate Prince found an oppor-
tunity to become betrothed I don’t know, but they certainly
found none on this occasion to exchange a dozen words.
‘My dear,’ said Mr. Turveydrop benignly to his son, ‘do
you know the hour?’
‘No, father.’ The son had no watch. The father had a hand-
some gold one, which he pulled out with an air that was an
example to mankind.
‘My son,’ said he, ‘it’s two o’clock. Recollect your school
at Kensington at three.’
‘That’s time enough for me, father,’ said Prince. ‘I can
take a morsel of dinner standing and be off.’

292 Bleak House