(“Then,” thinks Twemlow, with his eyes shut, “there are si⁠—” But here collapses and does not completely recover until dinner is over and the Analytical has been requested to withdraw.)

“We now come,” says Veneering, “to the point, the real point, of our little family consultation. Sophronia, having lost both father and mother, has no one to give her away.”

“Give her away yourself,” says Podsnap.

“My dear Podsnap, no. For three reasons. Firstly, because I couldn’t take so much upon myself when I have respected family friends to remember. Secondly, because I am not so vain as to think that I look the part. Thirdly, because Anastatia is a little superstitious on the subject and feels averse to my giving away anybody until baby is old enough to be married.”

“What would happen if he did?” Podsnap inquires of Mrs. Veneering.