“Whatever housekeeping arrangement that may be,” said Miss

Pross, striving to dry her eyes and compose herself, “I have no

doubt it is best that Mrs. Cruncher should have it entirely under

her own superintendence. O my poor darlings!”

“I go so far as to say, miss, moreover,” proceeded Mr. Cruncher,

with a most alarming tendency to hold forth as from a pulpit

“and let my words be took down and took to Mrs. Cruncher

through yourselfthat wot my opinions respectin’ floppin’ has

undergone a change, and that wot I only hope with all my heart as

Mrs. Cruncher may be a-floppin’ at the present time.”

“There, there, there! I hope she is, my dear man,” cried the

distracted Miss Pross, “and I hope she finds it answering her

expectations.”

“Forbid it,” proceeded Mr. Cruncher, with additional solemnity,

additional slowness, and additional tendency to hold forth and

hold out, “as anything wot I have ever said or done should be

wisited on my earnest wishes for them poor creeturs now! Forbid

it as we shouldn’t all flop (if it was anyways conwenient) to get ’em

out o’ this here dismal risk! Forbid it, miss! Wot I say, for-BID it!”

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This was Mr. Cruncher’s conclusion after a protracted but vain

endeavour to find a better one.

And still Madame Defarge, pursuing her way along the streets,

came nearer and