'I see precious well,' said Mr Tip, rising, 'that I shall get no
sensible or fair argument here to-night, and so the best thing I can do
is to cut. Good night, Amy. Don't be vexed. I am very sorry it happens
here, and you here, upon my soul I am; but I can't altogether part with
my spirit, even for your sake, old girl.'
With those words he put on his hat and went out, accompanied by Miss
Fanny; who did not consider it spirited on her part to take leave of
Clennam with any less opposing demonstration than a stare, importing
that she had always known him for one of the large body of conspirators.
When they were gone, the Father of the Marshalsea was at first inclined
to sink into despondency again, and would have done so, but that a
gentleman opportunely came up within a minute or two to attend him to
the Snuggery. It was the gentleman Clennam had seen on the night of his
own accidental detention there, who had that impalpable grievance about
the misappropriated Fund on which the Marshal was supposed to batten.
He presented himself as deputation to escort the Father to the Chair, it
being an occasion on which he had promised to preside over the assembled
Collegians in the enjoyment of a little Harmony.
'Such, you see, Mr Clennam,' said the Father, 'are the incongruities
of my position here. But a public duty! No man, I am sure, would more
readily recognise a public duty than yourself.'
Clennam besought him not to delay a moment. 'Amy, my dear, if you can
persuade Mr Clennam to stay longer, I can leave the honours of our poor
apology for an establishment with confidence in your hands, and
perhaps you may do something towards erasing from Mr Clennam's mind
the--ha--untoward and unpleasant circumstance which has occurred since
tea-time.' Clennam assured him that it had made no impression on his mind, and
therefore required no erasure. 'My dear sir,' said the Father, with a removal of his black cap and a
grasp of Clennam's hand, combining to express the safe receipt of his
note and enclosure that afternoon, 'Heaven ever bless you!'
So, at last, Clennam's purpose in remaining was attained, and he could
speak to Little Dorrit with nobody by. Maggy counted as nobody, and she
was by.