persuade himself that his sweet temper was soured, and that he
grumbled, “but I am determined to be peevish after my long day’s
botheration. Where is Manette?”
“Here he is,” said the Doctor, entering the dark room at the
moment.
“I am quite glad you are at home; for these hurries and
forebodings by which I have been surrounded all day long, have
made me nervous without reason. You are not going out, I hope?”
“No; I am going to play backgammon with you, if you like,” said
the Doctor.
“I don’t think I do like, if I may speak my mind. I am not fit to
be pitted against you tonight. Is the teaboard still there, Lucie? I
can’t see.”
“Of course, it has been kept for you.”
“Thank ye, my dear. The precious child is safe in bed?”
“And sleeping soundly.”
“That’s right; all safe and well! I don’t know why anything
should be otherwise than safe and well here, thank God; but I have
been so put out all day, and I am not as young as I was! My tea, my
dear! Thank ye. Now, come and take your place in the circle, and
let us sit quiet, and hear the echoes about which you have your
theory.”
“Not a theory; it was a fancy.”
“A fancy, then, my wise pet,” said Mr. Lorry, patting her hand.
“They are very numerous and very loud, though, are they not?
Only hear them!”
Headlong, mad, and dangerous footsteps to force their