“ Hul⁠—lo! ” exclaimed Mr. Boffin in an amazed undertone.

“You’re a scolding, unjust, abusive, aggravating, bad old creature!” cried Bella. “I am angry with my ungrateful self for calling you names; but you are, you are; you know you are!”

Mr. Boffin stared here, and stared there, as misdoubting that he must be in some sort of fit.

“I have heard you with shame,” said Bella. “With shame for myself, and with shame for you. You ought to be above the base talebearing of a timeserving woman; but you are above nothing now.”

Mr. Boffin, seeming to become convinced that this was a fit, rolled his eyes and loosened his neckcloth.