“Pray, Mrs. Gradgrind,” said Bounderby, “what passed?”

“Oh, my poor health!” returned Mrs. Gradgrind. “The girl wanted to come to the school, and Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come to the school, and Louisa and Thomas both said that the girl wanted to come, and that Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come, and how was it possible to contradict them when such was the fact!”

“Now I tell you what, Gradgrind!” said Mr. Bounderby. “Turn this girl to the right about, and there’s an end of it.”

“I am much of your opinion.”