
expressions of kindness. Their effect upon me - is - but,« said Mr. Toots,
abruptly, »this is a digression, and 's of no consequence at all.«
    As there seemed to be no means of replying to this, but by thanking him
again, Florence thanked him again.
    »I could wish,« said Mr. Toots, »to take this opportunity, Miss Dombey, if I
might, of entering into a word of explanation. I should have had the pleasure of
- of returning with Susan at an earlier period; but, in the first place, we
didn't know the name of the relation to whose house she had gone, and, in the
second, as she had left that relation's and gone to another at a distance, I
think that scarcely anything short of the sagacity of the Chicken, would have
found her out in the time.«
    Florence was sure of it.
    »This, however,« said Mr. Toots, »is not the point. The company of Susan has
been, I assure you, Miss Dombey, a consolation and satisfaction to me, in my
state of mind, more easily conceived than described. The journey has been its
own reward. That, however, still, is not the point. Miss Dombey, I have before
observed that I know I am not what is considered a quick person. I am perfectly
aware of that. I don't think anybody could be better acquainted with his own -
if it was not too strong an expression, I should say with the thickness of his
own head - than myself. But, Miss Dombey, I do, notwithstanding, perceive the
state of - of things - with Lieutenant Walters. Whatever agony that state of
things may have caused me (which is of no consequence at all), I am bound to
say, that Lieutenant Walters is a person who appears to be worthy of the
blessing that has fallen on his - on his brow. May he wear it long, and
appreciate it, as a very different, and very unworthy individual, that it is of
no consequence to name, would have done! That, however, still, is not the point.
Miss Dombey, Captain Gills is a friend of mine; and during the interval that is
now elapsing, I believe it would afford Captain Gills pleasure to see me
occasionally coming backwards and forwards here. It would afford me pleasure so
to come. But I cannot forget that I once committed myself, fatally, at the
corner of the Square at Brighton
