avelling-people usually get more or less mahogany and you are not
at all so and as to corresponding what about? that's very true unless
tea, so it was at his mother's was it really that you knew him first,
highly sensible and firm but dreadfully severe--ought to be the mother
of the man in the iron mask.'

'Mrs Clennam has been kind to me,' said Little Dorrit.

'Really? I am sure I am glad to hear it because as Arthur's mother it's
naturally pleasant to my feelings to have a better opinion of her than
I had before, though what she thinks of me when I run on as I am certain
to do and she sits glowering at me like Fate in a go-cart--shocking
comparison really--invalid and not her fault--I never know or can
imagine.'

'Shall I find my work anywhere, ma'am?' asked Little Dorrit, looking
timidly about; 'can I get it?'

'You industrious little fairy,' returned Flora, taking, in another cup
of tea, another of the doses prescribed by her medical man, 'there's
not the slightest hurry and it's better that we should begin by being
confidential about our mutual friend--too cold a word for me at least
I don't mean that, very proper expression mutual friend--than become
through mere formalities not you but me like the Spartan boy with the
fox biting him, which I hope you'll excuse my bringing up for of all
the tiresome boys that will go tumbling into every sort of company that
boy's the tiresomest.'

Little Dorrit, her face very pale, sat down again to listen. 'Hadn't I
better work the while?' she asked. 'I can work and attend too. I would
rather, if I may.'

Her earnestness was so expressive of her being uneasy without her work,
that Flora answered, 'Well my dear whatever you like best,' and produced
a basket of white handkerchiefs. Little Dorrit gladly put it by her
side, took out her little pocket-housewife, threaded the needle, and
began to hem.

'What nimble fingers you have,' said Flora, 'but are you sure you are
well?'

'Oh yes, indeed!'

Flora put her feet upon the fender, and settled herself for a thorough
good romantic disclosure. She started off at score, tossing her head,
sighing in the most demonstrative manner, making a great deal of use
of her eyebrows, and occasionally, but not often, glancing at the quiet
face that bent over the work.

'You must know my dear,' said Flora, 'but that I have no doubt you know
already not only because I have already thrown it out in a general way
but because I feel I carry