Riderhood’s recantation lay in the post office, addressed under cover to Lizzie Hexam at her right address.
All these proceedings occupied John Rokesmith so much, that it was not until the following day that he saw Bella again. It seemed then to be tacitly understood between them that they were to be as distantly easy as they could, without attracting the attention of Mr. and Mrs. Boffin to any marked change in their manner. The fitting out of old Betty Higden was favourable to this, as keeping Bella engaged and interested, and as occupying the general attention.
“I think,” said Rokesmith, when they all stood about her, while she packed her tidy basket—except Bella, who was busily helping on her knees at the chair on which it stood; “that at least you might keep a letter in your pocket, Mrs. Higden, which I would write for you and date from here, merely stating, in the names of Mr. and Mrs. Boffin, that they are your friends;—I won’t say patrons, because they wouldn’t like it.”
“No, no, no,” said Mr. Boffin; “no patronizing! Let’s keep out of that , whatever we come to.”
“There’s more than enough of that about, without us; ain’t there, Noddy?” said Mrs. Boffin.
“I believe you, old lady!” returned the Golden Dustman. “Overmuch indeed!”
“But people sometimes like to be patronized; don’t they, sir?” asked Bella, looking up.
“ I don’t. And if they do, my dear, they ought to learn better,” said Mr. Boffin. “Patrons and Patronesses, and Vice-Patrons and Vice-Patronesses, and Deceased Patrons and Deceased Patronesses, and Ex-Vice-Patrons and Ex-Vice-Patronesses, what does it all mean in the books