 a warm greasy smell
appeared to come up through the chinks in the floor, and there was a flabby
perspiration on the walls. I know it was near the bar, on account of the smell
of spirits and jingling of glasses. Here, recumbent on a small sofa, underneath
a picture of a race-horse, with her head close to the fire, and her feet pushing
the mustard off the dumb-waiter at the other end of the room, was Mrs. Micawber,
to whom Mr. Micawber entered first, saying, »My dear, allow me to introduce to
you a pupil of Doctor Strong's.«.
    I noticed, by-the-bye, that although Mr. Micawber was just as much confused
as ever about my age and standing, he always remembered, as a genteel thing,
that I was a pupil of Doctor Strong's.
    Mrs. Micawber was amazed, but very glad to see me. I was very glad to see
her too, and, after an affectionate greeting on both sides, sat down on the
small sofa near her.
    »My dear,« said Mr. Micawber, »if you will mention to Copperfield what our
present position is, which I have no doubt he will like to know, I will go and
look at the paper the while, and see whether anything turns up among the
advertisements.«
    »I thought you were at Plymouth, ma'am,« I said to Mrs. Micawber, as he went
out.
    »My dear Master Copperfield,« she replied, »we went to Plymouth.«
    »To be on the spot,« I hinted.
    »Just so,« said Mrs. Micawber. »To be on the spot. But, the truth is, talent
is not wanted in the Custom House. The local influence of my family was quite
unavailing to obtain any employment in that department, for a man of Mr.
Micawber's abilities. They would, rather not have a man of Mr. Micawber's
abilities. He would only show the deficiency of the others. Apart from which,«
said Mrs. Micawber, »I will not disguise from you, my dear Master Copperfield,
that when that branch of my family which is settled in Plymouth became aware
that Mr. Micawber was accompanied by myself, and by little Wilkins and his
sister, and by the twins, they did not receive him with that ardour which he
might have expected, being so newly released from captivity. In fact,« said Mrs.
Micawber, lowering her voice,
