 very
slow nod, and a still slower drawing down of the corners of Mrs. Gamp's mouth.
She added with extreme stateliness of manner, after indulging in a short doze:
    »But I am a keepin' of you gentlemen, and time is precious.«
    Mingling with that delusion of the tea-pot which inspired her with the
belief that they wanted her to go somewhere immediately, a shrewd avoidance of
any further reference to the topics into which she had lately strayed, Mrs. Gamp
rose; and putting away the tea-pot in its accustomed place, and locking the
cupboard with much gravity, proceeded to attire herself for a professional
visit.
    This preparation was easily made, as it required nothing more than the
snuffy black bonnet, the snuffy black shawl, the pattens, and the indispensable
umbrella, without which neither a lying-in nor a laying-out could by any
possibility be attempted. When Mrs. Gamp had invested herself with these
appendages she returned to her chair, and sitting down again, declared herself
quite ready.
    »It's a appiness to know as one can benefit the poor sweet creetur,« she
observed, »I'm sure. It isn't all as can. The torters Betsey Prig inflicts is
frightful!«
    Closing her eyes as she made this remark, in the acuteness of her
commiseration for Betsey's patients, she forgot to open them again until she
dropped a patten. Her nap was also broken at intervals, like the fabled slumbers
of Friar Bacon, by the dropping of the other patten, and of the umbrella. But
when she had got rid of those incumbrances, her sleep was peaceful.
    The two young men looked at each other, ludicrously enough; and Martin,
stifling his disposition to laugh, whispered in John Westlock's ear,
    »What shall we do now?«
    »Stay here,« he replied.
    Mrs. Gamp was heard to murmur »Mrs. Harris« in her sleep.
    »Rely upon it,« whispered John, looking cautiously towards her, »that you
shall question this old clerk, though you go as Mrs. Harris herself. We know
quite enough to carry her our own way now, at all events; thanks to this
quarrel, which confirms the old saying that when rogues fall out, honest people
get what they want. Let Jonas Chuzzlewit look to himself; and let her sleep as
long as she likes. We shall gain our end in good time.«
 

                                   Chapter L

Surprises Tom Pinch Very Much, and Shows how Certain Confidences Passed Between
                              Him and
