night, and the last night.'

'What did you see of him on the last night, after I was gone?'

'Them two clever ones had him all alone to themselves. Jeremiah come
a dancing at me sideways, after I had let you out (he always comes a
dancing at me sideways when he's going to hurt me), and he said to me,
"Now, Affery," he said, "I am a coming behind you, my woman, and a going
to run you up." So he took and squeezed the back of my neck in his hand,
till it made me open MY mouth, and then he pushed me before him to bed,
squeezing all the way. That's what he calls running me up, he do. Oh,
he's a wicked one!'

'And did you hear or see no more, Affery?'

'Don't I tell you I was sent to bed, Arthur! Here he is!'

'I assure you he is still at the door. Those whisperings and
counsellings, Affery, that you have spoken of. What are they?'

'How should I know? Don't ask me nothing about 'em, Arthur. Get away!'

'But my dear Affery; unless I can gain some insight into these hidden
things, in spite of your husband and in spite of my mother, ruin will
come of it.'

'Don't ask me nothing,' repeated Affery. 'I have been in a dream for
ever so long. Go away, go away!'

'You said that before,' returned Arthur. 'You used the same expression
that night, at the door, when I asked you what was going on here. What
do you mean by being in a dream?'

'I an't a going to tell you. Get away! I shouldn't tell you, if you was
by yourself; much less with your old sweetheart here.'

It was equally vain for Arthur to entreat, and for Flora to protest.
Affery, who had been trembling and struggling the whole time, turned a
deaf ear to all adjuration, and was bent on forcing herself out of the
closet.

'I'd sooner scream to Jeremiah than say another word! I'll call out to
him, Arthur, if you don't give over speaking to me. Now here's the very
last word I'll say afore I call to him--If ever you begin to get the
better of them two clever ones your own self (you ought to it, as I told
you when you first come home, for you haven't been a living here long
years, to be made afeared of your life as I have), then do you get the
better of 'em afore my face; and then do you say to me, Affery tell your
dreams! Maybe, then I'll tell 'em!'

The shutting of the door stopped Arthur from replying. They glided into
the places where Jeremiah had left them; and Clennam, stepping forward
as that old gentleman returned, informed him that he had accidentally
extin