“Pray, sir,” returned Mrs. Sparsit, reproachfully, “let me beg you not to say that. Your absence will make a vast difference to me, sir, as I think you very well know.”

“Well, ma’am, then you must get on in my absence as well as you can,” said Mr. Bounderby, not displeased.

“ Mr. Bounderby,” retorted Mrs. Sparsit, “your will is to me a law, sir; otherwise, it might be my inclination to dispute your kind commands, not feeling sure that it will be quite so agreeable to Miss Gradgrind to receive me, as it ever is to your own munificent hospitality. But you shall say no more, sir. I will go, upon your invitation.”