Ma, I am
engaged.«
    »O, you ridiculous child!« observed Mrs. Jellyby, with an abstracted air, as
she looked over the despatch last opened; »what a goose you are!«
    »I am engaged, Ma,« sobbed Caddy, »to young Mr. Turveydrop, at the Academy;
and old Mr. Turveydrop (who is a very gentlemanly man indeed) has given his
consent, and I beg and pray you'll give us yours, Ma, because I never could be
happy without it. I never, never could!« sobbed Caddy, quite forgetful of her
general complainings, and of everything but her natural affection.
    »You see again, Miss Summerson,« observed Mrs. Jellyby, serenely, »what a
happiness it is to be so much occupied as I am, and to have this necessity for
self-concentration that I have. Here is Caddy engaged to a dancing-master's son
- mixed up with people who have no more sympathy with the destinies of the human
race than she has herself! This, too, when Mr. Quale, one of the first
philanthropists of our time, has mentioned to me that he was really disposed to
be interested in her!«
    »Ma, I always hated and detested Mr. Quale!« sobbed Caddy.
    »Caddy, Caddy!« returned Mrs. Jellyby, opening another letter with the
greatest complacency. »I have no doubt you did. How could you do otherwise,
being totally destitute of the sympathies with which he overflows! Now, if my
public duties were not a favourite child to me, if I were not occupied with
large measures on a vast scale, these petty details might grieve me very much,
Miss Summerson. But can I permit the film of a silly proceeding on the part of
Caddy (from whom I expect nothing else), to interpose between me and the great
African continent? No. No,« repeated Mrs. Jellyby, in a calm clear voice, and
with an agreeable smile, as she opened more letters and sorted them. »No,
indeed.«
    I was so unprepared for the perfect coolness of this reception, though I
might have expected it, that I did not know what to say. Caddy seemed equally at
a loss. Mrs. Jellyby continued to open and sort letters; and to repeat
occasionally, in quite a charming tone of voice, and with a smile of perfect
composure, »No, indeed.«
    »I hope, Ma,« sobbed poor Caddy at last, »you