A very remarkable wavering between two bearings⁠—between her propitiatory bearing there, and her defiant bearing at Mr. Twemlow’s⁠—was observable on the part of Mrs. Lammle as she said:

“What does the Court not consider fair?”

“Letting you go on,” replied Mr. Boffin, nodding his head soothingly, as who should say, we won’t be harder on you than we can help; we’ll make the best of it. “It’s not aboveboard and it’s not fair. When the old lady is uncomfortable, there’s sure to be good reason for it. I see she is uncomfortable, and I plainly see this is the good reason wherefore. Have you breakfasted, ma’am?”