“Sir,” rejoined Mrs. Sparsit, “say no more. In yielding up my trust here, I shall not be freed from the necessity of eating the bread of dependence:” she might have said the sweetbread, for that delicate article in a savoury brown sauce was her favourite supper: “and I would rather receive it from your hand, than from any other. Therefore, sir, I accept your offer gratefully, and with many sincere acknowledgments for past favours. And I hope, sir,” said Mrs. Sparsit, concluding in an impressively compassionate manner, “I fondly hope that Miss Gradgrind may be all you desire, and deserve!”