, and delivered a secret blow into the crown of his cap, which was
under his left arm.
    »This gives me a great advantage when I am making my rounds,« said Mrs.
Pardiggle. »If I find a person unwilling to hear what I have to say, I tell that
person directly, I am incapable of fatigue, my good friend, I am never tired,
and I mean to go on until I have done. It answers admirably! Miss Summerson, I
hope I shall have your assistance in my visiting rounds immediately, and Miss
Clare's very soon?«
    At first I tried to excuse myself, for the present, on the general ground of
having occupations to attend to, which I must not neglect. But as this was an
ineffectual protest, I then said, more particularly, that I was not sure of my
qualifications. That I was inexperienced in the art of adapting my mind to minds
very differently situated, and addressing them from suitable points of view.
That I had not that delicate knowledge of the heart which must be essential to
such a work. That I had much to learn, myself, before I could teach others, and
that I could not confide in my good intentions alone. For these reasons, I
thought it best to be as useful as I could, and to render what kind services I
could, to those immediately about me; and to try to let that circle of duty
gradually and naturally expand itself. All this I said, with anything but
confidence; because Mrs. Pardiggle was much older than I, and had great
experience, and was so very military in her manners.
    »You are wrong, Miss Summerson,« said she: »but perhaps you are not equal to
hard work, or the excitement of it; and that makes a vast difference. If you
would like to see how I go through my work, I am now about - with my young
family - to visit a brickmaker in the neighbourhood (a very bad character), and
shall be glad to take you with me. Miss Clare also, if she will do me the
favour.«
    Ada and I interchanged looks, and, as we were going out in any case,
accepted the offer. When we hastily returned from putting on our bonnets, we
found the young family languishing in a corner, and Mrs. Pardiggle sweeping
about the room, knocking down nearly all the light objects it contained. Mrs.
Pardiggle took possession of Ada, and I followed with the family.
    Ada told me afterwards that Mrs. Pardiggle