“If you’ll step this way⁠—down these stairs⁠—I’ll let Ma know.” Excited flight of Mrs. Wilfer’s legs, of Miss Bella’s legs, of Mr. George Sampson’s legs.

After waiting some quarter of an hour alone in the family sitting-room, which presented traces of having been so hastily arranged after a meal, that one might have doubted whether it was made tidy for visitors, or cleared for blindman’s buff, Mr. and Mrs. Boffin became aware of the entrance of Mrs. Wilfer, majestically faint, and with a condescending stitch in her side: which was her company manner.