d to Tom that he was
expected to say something in reference to them. So he said.

'Only at present! Are you going home again soon?'

'No, Mr Pinch,' returned Charity. 'No, thank you. No! A mother-in-law
who is younger than--I mean to say, who is as nearly as possible about
the same age as one's self, would not quite suit my spirit. Not quite!'
said Cherry, with a spiteful shiver.

'I thought from your saying "at present"'--Tom observed.

'Really, upon my word! I had no idea you would press me so very closely
on the subject, Mr Pinch,' said Charity, blushing, 'or I should not have
been so foolish as to allude to--oh really!--won't you walk in?'

Tom mentioned, to excuse himself, that he had an appointment in
Furnival's Inn, and that coming from Islington he had taken a few wrong
turnings, and arrived at the Monument instead. Miss Pecksniff simpered
very much when he asked her if she knew the way to Furnival's Inn, and
at length found courage to reply.

'A gentleman who is a friend of mine, or at least who is not exactly a
friend so much as a sort of acquaintance--Oh upon my word, I hardly
know what I say, Mr Pinch; you mustn't suppose there is any engagement
between us; or at least if there is, that it is at all a settled thing
as yet--is going to Furnival's Inn immediately, I believe upon a little
business, and I am sure he would be very glad to accompany you, so as
to prevent your going wrong again. You had better walk in. You will very
likely find my sister Merry here,' she said with a curious toss of her
head, and anything but an agreeable smile.

'Then, I think, I'll endeavour to find my way alone,' said Tom, 'for I
fear she would not be very glad to see me. That unfortunate occurrence,
in relation to which you and I had some amicable words together, in
private, is not likely to have impressed her with any friendly feeling
towards me. Though it really was not my fault.'

'She has never heard of that, you may depend,' said Cherry, gathering up
the corners of her mouth, and nodding at Tom. 'I am far from sure that
she would bear you any mighty ill will for it, if she had.'

'You don't say so?' cried Tom, who was really concerned by this
insinuation.

'I say nothing,' said Charity. 'If I had not already known what shocking
things treachery and deceit are in themselves, Mr Pinch, I might perhaps
have learnt it from the success they meet with--from the success they
meet with.' Here she smiled as before. 'But I