 avocation
of a remunerative description - in other words, it does not pay - and some
temporary embarrassments of a pecuniary nature have been the consequence. I am,
however, delighted to add that I have now an immediate prospect of something
turning up (I am not at liberty to say in what direction), which I trust will
enable me to provide, permanently, both for myself and for your friend Traddles,
in whom I have an unaffected interest. You may, perhaps, be prepared to hear
that Mrs. Micawber is in a state of health which renders it not wholly
improbable that an addition may be ultimately made to those pledges of affection
which - in short, to the infantine group. Mrs. Micawber's family have been so
good as to express their dissatisfaction at this state of things. I have merely
to observe, that I am not aware it is any business of theirs, and that I repel
that exhibition of feeling with scorn, and with defiance!«
    Mr. Micawber then shook hands with me again, and left me.
 

                                 Chapter XXVIII

                            Mr. Micawber's Gauntlet.

Until the day arrived on which I was to entertain my newly-found old friends, I
lived principally on Dora and coffee. In my love-lorn condition, my appetite
languished; and I was glad of it, for I felt as though it would have been an act
of perfidy towards Dora to have a natural relish for my dinner. The quantity of
walking exercise I took, was not in this respect attended with its usual
consequence, as the disappointment counteracted the fresh air. I have my doubts,
too, founded on the acute experience acquired at this period of my life, whether
a sound enjoyment of animal food can develop itself freely in any human subject
who is always in torment from tight boots. I think the extremities require to be
at peace before the stomach will conduct itself with vigour.
    On the occasion of this domestic little party, I did not repeat my former
extensive preparations. I merely provided a pair of soles, a small leg of
mutton, and a pigeon-pie. Mrs. Crupp broke out into rebellion on my first
bashful hint in reference to the cooking of the fish and joint, and said, with a
dignified sense of injury, »No! No, sir! You will not ask me sich a thing, for
you are better acquainted with me than to suppose me capable of doing what I
cannot do with ampial satisfaction to my own feelings!« But, in the end, a
compromise was effected; and Mrs. Crupp consented to
