my soul I will, Miss,' returned the Grinder. 'I have come through
a good deal, and my intentions is now as straightfor'ard, Miss, as a
cove's--'

'I must get you to break yourself of that word, Robin, if you Please,'
interposed Miss Tox, politely.

'If you please, Miss, as a chap's--'

'Thankee, Robin, no,' returned Miss Tox, 'I should prefer individual.'

'As a indiwiddle's,' said the Grinder.

'Much better,' remarked Miss Tox, complacently; 'infinitely more
expressive!'

'--can be,' pursued Rob. 'If I hadn't been and got made a Grinder on,
Miss and Mother, which was a most unfortunate circumstance for a young
co--indiwiddle.'

'Very good indeed,' observed Miss Tox, approvingly.

'--and if I hadn't been led away by birds, and then fallen into a bad
service,' said the Grinder, 'I hope I might have done better. But it's
never too late for a--'

'Indi--' suggested Miss Tox.

'--widdle,' said the Grinder, 'to mend; and I hope to mend, Miss, with
your kind trial; and wishing, Mother, my love to father, and brothers
and sisters, and saying of it.'

'I am very glad indeed to hear it,' observed Miss Tox. 'Will you take a
little bread and butter, and a cup of tea, before we go, Robin?'

'Thankee, Miss,' returned the Grinder; who immediately began to use his
own personal grinders in a most remarkable manner, as if he had been on
very short allowance for a considerable period.

Miss Tox, being, in good time, bonneted and shawled, and Polly too, Rob
hugged his mother, and followed his new mistress away; so much to the
hopeful admiration of Polly, that something in her eyes made luminous
rings round the gas-lamps as she looked after him. Polly then put out
her light, locked the house-door, delivered the key at an agent's hard
by, and went home as fast as she could go; rejoicing in the shrill
delight that her unexpected arrival would occasion there. The great
house, dumb as to all that had been suffered in it, and the changes it
had witnessed, stood frowning like a dark mute on the street; baulking
any nearer inquiries with the staring announcement that the lease of
this desirable Family Mansion was to be disposed of.

CHAPTER 60. Chiefly Matrimonial

The grand half-yearly festival holden by Doctor and Mrs Blimber, on
which occasion they requested the pleasure of the company of every young
gentleman pursuing his studies in that genteel establishment, at an
early party, when the hour was half-past seven o'cl