’It’stheonlychangehetakes，’saidMrsChivery，shakingherheadafresh。’Hewon’tgoout，evenintheback-yard，whenthere’snolinen；butwhenthere’slinentokeeptheneighbours’eyesoff，he’llsitthere，hours。Hourshewill。Sayshefeelsasifitwasgroves!’MrsChiveryshookherheadagain，putheraproninamotherlywaytohereyes，andreconductedhervisitorintotheregionsofthebusiness。
’Pleasetotakeaseat，sir，’saidMrsChivery。’MissDorritisthematterwithOurJohn，sir；he’sabreakinghisheartforher，andIwouldwishtotakethelibertytoaskhowit’stobemadegoodtohisparentswhenbust？’
MrsChivery，whowasacomfortable-lookingwomanmuchrespectedaboutHorsemongerLaneforherfeelingsandherconversation，utteredthisspeechwithfellcomposure，andimmediatelyafterwardsbeganagaintoshakeherheadanddryhereyes。
’Sir，’saidsheincontinuation，’youareacquaintedwiththefamily，andhaveinterestedyourselfwiththefamily，andareinfluentialwiththefamily。Ifyoucanpromoteviewscalculatedtomaketwoyoungpeoplehappy，letme，forOurjohn’ssake，andforboththeirsakes，imploreyousotodo!’
’Ihavebeensohabituated，’returnedArthur，ataloss，’duringtheshorttimeIhaveknownher，toconsiderLittle——IhavebeensohabituatedtoconsiderMissDorritinalightaltogetherremovedfromthatinwhichyoupresenthertome，thatyouquitetakemebysurprise。Doessheknowyourson？’