 head. »I dare say!« and she gave him another
of the old looks. »However when Pancks told us I made up my mind that Mr. F's
Aunt and I would come and call because when papa - which was before that -
happened to mention her name to me and to say that you were interested in her I
said at the moment Good gracious why not have her here then when there's
anything to do instead of putting it out.«
    »When you say Her,« observed Clennam, by this time pretty well bewildered,
»do you mean Mr. F's --«
    »My goodness, Arthur - Doyce and Clennam really easier to me with old
remembrances - who ever heard of Mr. F's Aunt doing needlework and going out by
the day!«
    »Going out by the day! Do you speak of Little Dorrit?«
    »Why yes of course,« returned Flora; »and of all the strangest names I ever
heard the strangest, like a place down in the country with a turnpike, or a
favourite pony or a puppy or a bird or something from a seed-shop to be put in a
garden or a flower-pot and come up speckled.«
    »Then, Flora,« said Arthur, with a sudden interest in the conversation, »Mr.
Casby was so kind as to mention Little Dorrit to you, was he? What did he say?«
    »Oh you know what papa is,« rejoined Flora, »and how aggravatingly he sits
looking beautiful and turning his thumbs over and over one another till he makes
one giddy if one keeps one's eyes upon him, he said when we were talking of you
- I don't know who began the subject Arthur (Doyce and Clennam) but I am sure it
wasn't me, at least I hope not but you really must excuse my confessing more on
that point.«
    »Certainly,« said Arthur. »By all means.«
    »You are very ready,« pouted Flora, coming to a sudden stop in a captivating
bashfulness, »that I must admit, Papa said you had spoken of her in an earnest
way and I said what I have told you and that's all.«
    »That's all?« said Arthur, a little disappointed.
    »Except that when Pancks told us of your having embarked in this business
and with difficulty persuaded us that it was really you I said to Mr. F's Aunt
then we would come and ask you if
