Mr。Bumble，seeingwithexcruciatingfeelings，thedelightofthetwooldpaupers，whoweretitteringtogethermostrapturously，hesitatedforaninstant。Mrs。Bumble，whosepatiencebrookednodelay，caughtupabowlofsoap-suds，andmotioninghimtowardsthedoor，orderedhiminstantlytodepart，onpainofreceivingthecontentsuponhisportlyperson。
WhatcouldMr。Bumbledo?Helookeddejectedlyround，andslunkaway；and，ashereachedthedoor，thetitteringsofthepaupersbrokeintoashrillchuckleofirrepressibledelight。Itwantedbutthis。Hewasdegradedintheireyes；hehadlostcasteandstationbeforetheverypaupers；hehadfallenfromalltheheightandpompofbeadleship，tothelowestdepthofthemostsnubbedhen-peckery。
\'Allintwomonths！\'saidMr。Bumble，filledwithdismalthoughts。\'Twomonths！Nomorethantwomonthsago，Iwasnotonlymyownmaster，buteverybodyelse\'s，sofarastheporochialworkhousewasconcerned，andnow！——\'
Itwastoomuch。Mr。Bumbleboxedtheearsoftheboywhoopenedthegateforhimforhehadreachedtheportalinhisreverie；
andwalked，distractedly，intothestreet。