Little Dorrit - Page 245/462

In this dilemma, Mr Pancks, whose resources appeared equal to any

emergency in the Patriarchal waters, slipped on his hat, slipped out at

the counting-house door, and slipped in again a moment afterwards with

an artificial freshness upon him, as if he had been in the country for

some weeks. 'Why, bless my heart, ma'am!' said Mr Pancks, rubbing up his

hair in great astonishment, 'is that you? How do you do, ma'am?

You are looking charming to-day! I am delighted

to see you. Favour me with your arm, ma'am; we'll have a little walk

together, you and me, if you'll honour me with your company.' And so

escorted Mr F.'s Aunt down the private staircase of the counting-house

with great gallantry and success. The patriarchal Mr Casby then rose

with the air of having done it himself, and blandly followed: leaving

his daughter, as she followed in her turn, to remark to her former lover

in a distracted whisper (which she very much enjoyed), that they had

drained the cup of life to the dregs; and further to hint mysteriously

that the late Mr F. was at the bottom of it.

Alone again, Clennam became a prey to his old doubts in reference to his

mother and Little Dorrit, and revolved the old thoughts and suspicions.

They were all in his mind, blending themselves with the duties he was

mechanically discharging, when a shadow on his papers caused him to look

up for the cause.

The cause was Mr Pancks. With his hat thrown back upon

his ears as if his wiry prongs of hair had darted up like springs and

cast it off, with his jet-black beads of eyes inquisitively sharp, with

the fingers of his right hand in his mouth that he might bite the nails,

and with the fingers of his left hand in reserve in his pocket for

another course, Mr Pancks cast his shadow through the glass upon the

books and papers. Mr Pancks asked, with a little inquiring twist of his head, if he

might come in again? Clennam replied with a nod of his head in the

affirmative. Mr Pancks worked his way in, came alongside the desk, made

himself fast by leaning his arms upon it, and started conversation with

a puff and a snort.

'Mr F.'s Aunt is appeased, I hope?' said Clennam. 'All right, sir,' said Pancks.

'I am so unfortunate as to have awakened a strong animosity in the

breast of that lady,' said Clennam. 'Do you know why?' 'Does SHE know why?' said Pancks. 'I suppose not.' 'I suppose not,' said Pancks. He took out his note-book, opened it, shut it, dropped it into his hat,

which was beside him on the desk, and looked in at it as it lay at the

bottom of the hat: all with a great appearance of consideration. 'Mr Clennam,' he then began, 'I am in want of information, sir.' 'Connected with this firm?' asked Clennam. 'No,' said Pancks.