 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 a 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.
 

                                 Chapter XXXII

                             More Fortune-Telling.

Maggy sat at her work in her great white cap
