, nonsense. Be off, Mrs. Gamp!« cried Mould. But in the height of
his gratification, he actually pinched Mrs. Mould, as he said it.
    »I'll tell you what, my dear,« he observed, when Mrs. Gamp had at last
withdrawn, and shut the door, »that's a ve-ry shrewd woman. That's a woman whose
intellect is immensely superior to her station in life. That's a woman who
observes and reflects in an uncommon manner. She's the sort of woman now,« said
Mould, drawing his silk handkerchief over his head again, and composing himself
for a nap, »one would almost feel disposed to bury for nothing: and do it
neatly, too!«
    Mrs. Mould and her daughters fully concurred in these remarks; the subject
of which had by this time reached the street, where she experienced so much
inconvenience from the air, that she was obliged to stand under an archway for a
short time, to recover herself. Even after this precaution, she walked so
unsteadily as to attract the compassionate regards of divers kind-hearted boys,
who took the liveliest interest in her disorder; and in their simple language,
bade her be of good cheer, for she was only a little screwed.
    Whatever she was, or whatever name the vocabulary of medical science would
have bestowed upon her malady, Mrs. Gamp was perfectly acquainted with the way
home again; and arriving at the house of Anthony Chuzzlewit &amp; Son, lay down
to rest. Remaining there until seven o'clock in the evening, and then persuading
poor old Chuffey to betake himself to bed, she sallied forth upon her new
engagement. First, she went to her private lodgings in Kingsgate Street, for a
bundle of robes and wrappings comfortable in the night season; and then repaired
to the Bull in Holborn, which she reached as the clocks were striking eight.
    As she turned into the yard, she stopped; for the landlord, landlady, and
head chambermaid, were all on the threshold together, talking earnestly with a
young gentleman who seemed to have just come or to be just going away. The first
words that struck upon Mrs. Gamp's ear obviously bore reference to the patient;
and it being expedient that all good attendants should know as much as possible
about the case on which their skill is brought to bear, Mrs. Gamp listened as a
matter of duty.
    »No better, then?« observed the gentleman.
    »Worse!« said the landlord.
    »
