“That’s as much as to say you agree? Good and kind of you, and like you, deary! And don’t you begin to find it pleasant now,” said Mrs. Boffin, once more radiant in her comely way from head to foot, and once more smoothing her dress with immense enjoyment, “don’t you begin to find it pleasant already, to think that a child will be made brighter, and better, and happier, because of that poor sad child that day? And isn’t it pleasant to know that the good will be done with the poor sad child’s own money?”

“Yes; and it’s pleasant to know that you are Mrs. Boffin,” said her husband, “and it’s been a pleasant thing to know this many and many a year!” It was ruin to Mrs. Boffin’s aspirations, but, having so spoken, they sat side by side, a hopelessly unfashionable pair.