ight heat a
flat-iron at it. And no wonder I am sure, considerin' the things he
said!'

'Said!' cried Jonas. 'What did he say?'

Mrs Gamp laid her hand upon her heart, to put some check upon its
palpitations, and turning up her eyes replied in a faint voice:

'The awfulest things, Mr Chuzzlewit, as ever I heerd! Which Mrs Harris's
father never spoke a word when took so, some does and some don't, except
sayin' when he come round, "Where is Sairey Gamp?" But raly, sir, when
Mr Chuffey comes to ask who's lyin' dead upstairs, and--'

'Who's lying dead upstairs!' repeated Jonas, standing aghast.

Mrs Gamp nodded, made as if she were swallowing, and went on.

'Who's lying dead upstairs; sech was his Bible language; and where was
Mr Chuzzlewit as had the only son; and when he goes upstairs a-looking
in the beds and wandering about the rooms, and comes down again
a-whisperin' softly to his-self about foul play and that; it gives me
sech a turn, I don't deny it, Mr Chuzzlewit, that I never could have kep
myself up but for a little drain o' spirits, which I seldom touches, but
could always wish to know where to find, if so dispoged, never knowin'
wot may happen next, the world bein' so uncertain.'

'Why, the old fool's mad!' cried Jonas, much disturbed.

'That's my opinion, sir,' said Mrs Gamp, 'and I will not deceive you. I
believe as Mr Chuffey, sir, rekwires attention (if I may make so bold),
and should not have his liberty to wex and worrit your sweet lady as he
does.'

'Why, who minds what he says?' retorted Jonas.

'Still he is worritin' sir,' said Mrs Gamp. 'No one don't mind him, but
he IS a ill conwenience.'

'Ecod you're right,' said Jonas, looking doubtfully at the subject of
this conversation. 'I have half a mind to shut him up.'

Mrs Gamp rubbed her hands, and smiled, and shook her head, and sniffed
expressively, as scenting a job.

'Could you--could you take care of such an idiot, now, in some spare
room upstairs?' asked Jonas.

'Me and a friend of mine, one off, one on, could do it, Mr Chuzzlewit,'
replied the nurse; 'our charges not bein' high, but wishin' they was
lower, and allowance made considerin' not strangers. Me and Betsey Prig,
sir, would undertake Mr Chuffey reasonable,' said Mrs Gamp, looking at
him with her head on one side, as if he had been a piece of goods, for
which she was driving a bargain; 'and give every satigefaction. Betsey
Prig has nussed a many lunacies, and well she knows