 into a bad
service,« said the Grinder, »I hope I might have done better. But it's never too
late for a -«
    »Indi -« suggested Miss Tox.
    »- widdle,« said the Grinder, »to mend; and I hope to mend, Miss, with your
kind trial; and wishing, mother, my love to father, and brothers and sisters,
and saying of it.«
    »I am very glad indeed to hear it,« observed Miss Tox. »Will you take a
little bread and butter, and a cup of tea, before we go, Robin?«
    »Thankee, Miss,« returned the Grinder; who immediately began to use his own
personal grinders in a most remarkable manner, as if he had been on very short
allowance for a considerable period.
    Miss Tox being, in good time, bonneted and shawled, and Polly too, Rob
hugged his mother, and followed his new mistress away; so much to the hopeful
admiration of Polly, that something in her eyes made luminous rings round the
gas-lamps as she looked after him. Polly then put out her light, locked the
house-door, delivered the key at an agent's hard by, and went home as fast as
she could go; rejoicing in the shrill delight that her unexpected arrival would
occasion there. The great house, dumb as to all that had been suffered in it,
and the changes it had witnessed, stood frowning like a dark mute on the street;
baulking any nearer inquiries with the staring announcement that the lease of
this desirable Family Mansion was to be disposed of.
 

                                   Chapter LX

                              Chiefly Matrimonial.

The grand half-yearly festival holden by Doctor and Mrs. Blimber, on which
occasion they requested the pleasure of the company of every young gentleman
pursuing his studies in that genteel establishment, at an early party, when the
hour was half-past seven o'clock, and when the object was quadrilles, had duly
taken place, about this time; and the young gentlemen, with no unbecoming
demonstrations of levity, had betaken themselves, in a state of scholastic
repletion, to their own homes. Mr. Skettles had repaired abroad, permanently to
grace the establishment of his father Sir Barnet Skettles, whose popular manners
had obtained him a diplomatic appointment, the honours of which were discharged
by himself and Lady Skettles, to the satisfaction even of their own countrymen
and countrywomen: which was considered almost miraculous. Mr. Tozer, now a young
man of lofty stature, in Wellington boots, was so extremely full of
