.
Micawber, »in which I view the subject. When I lived at home with my papa and
mama, my papa was accustomed to ask, when any point was under discussion in our
limited circle, In what light does my Emma view the subject? That my papa was
too partial, I know; still, on such a point as the frigid coldness which has
ever subsisted between Mr. Micawber and my family, I necessarily have formed an
opinion, delusive though it may be.«
    »No doubt. Of course you have, ma'am,« said my aunt.
    »Precisely so,« assented Mrs. Micawber. »Now, I may be wrong in my
conclusions; it is very likely that I am; but my individual impression is, that
the gulf between my family and Mr. Micawber may be traced to an apprehension, on
the part of my family, that Mr. Micawber would require pecuniary accommodation.
I cannot help thinking,« said Mrs. Micawber, with an air of deep sagacity, »that
there are members of my family who have been apprehensive that Mr. Micawber
would solicit them for their names. - I do not mean to be conferred in Baptism
upon our children, but to be inscribed on Bills of Exchange, and negotiated in
the Money Market.«
    The look of penetration with which Mrs. Micawber announced this discovery,
as if no one had ever thought of it before, seemed rather to astonish my aunt;
who abruptly replied, »Well, ma'am, upon the whole, I shouldn't wonder if you
were right!«
    »Mr. Micawber being now on the eve of casting off the pecuniary shackles
that have so long enthralled him,« said Mrs. Micawber, »and of commencing a new
career in a country where there is sufficient range for his abilities, - which,
in my opinion, is exceedingly important; Mr. Micawber's abilities peculiarly
requiring space, - it seems to me that my family should signalise the occasion
by coming forward. What I could wish to see, would be a meeting between Mr.
Micawber and my family at a festive entertainment, to be given at my family's
expense; where Mr. Micawber's health and prosperity being proposed, by some
leading member of my family, Mr. Micawber might have an opportunity of
developing his views.«
    »My dear,« said Mr. Micawber, with some heat, »it may be better for me to
state distinctly, at once, that if I were to develop my views to that assembled
