 lost your temper?«
    »Now, I'll tell you what, ma'am,« said Bounderby, »I am not come here to be
bullied. A female may be highly connected, but she can't be permitted to bother
and badger a man in my position, and I am not going to put up with it.« (Mr.
Bounderby felt it necessary to get on: foreseeing that if he allowed of details,
he would be beaten.)
    Mrs. Sparsit first elevated, then knitted, her Coriolanian eyebrows;
gathered up her work into its proper basket; and rose.
    »Sir,« said she, majestically. »It is apparent to me that I am in your way
at present. I will retire to my own apartment.«
    »Allow me to open the door, ma'am.«
    »Thank you, sir; I can do it for myself.«
    »You had better allow me, ma'am,« said Bounderby, passing her, and getting
his hand upon the lock; »because I can take the opportunity of saying a word to
you, before you go. Mrs. Sparsit, ma'am, I rather think you are cramped here, do
you know? It appears to me, that, under my humble roof, there's hardly opening
enough for a lady of your genius in other people's affairs.«
    Mrs. Sparsit gave him a look of the darkest scorn, and said with great
politeness, »Really, sir?«
    »I have been thinking it over, you see, since the late affairs have
happened, ma'am,« said Bounderby; »and it appears to my poor judgment -«
    »Oh! Pray, sir,« Mrs. Sparsit interposed, with sprightly cheerfulness,
»don't disparage your judgment. Everybody knows how unerring Mr. Bounderby's
judgment is. Everybody has had proofs of it. It must be the theme of general
conversation. Disparage anything in yourself but your judgment, sir,« said Mrs.
Sparsit, laughing.
    Mr. Bounderby, very red and uncomfortable, resumed:
    »It appears to me, ma'am, I say, that a different sort of establishment
altogether would bring out a lady of your powers. Such an establishment as your
relation, Lady Scadgers's, now. Don't you think you might find some affairs
there, ma'am, to interfere with?«
    »It never occurred to me before, sir,« returned Mrs. Sparsit; »but now
