was still there, saying, still with a curtsey
and a smile between every little sentence, »Youth. And hope. And beauty. And
Chancery. And Conversation Kenge! Ha! Pray accept my blessing!«
 

                                   Chapter IV

                            Telescopic Philanthropy

We were to pass the night, Mr. Kenge told us when we arrived in his room, at
Mrs. Jellyby's; and then he turned to me, and said he took it for granted I knew
who Mrs. Jellyby was?
    »I really don't, sir,« I returned. »Perhaps Mr. Carstone - or Miss Clare -«
    But no, they knew nothing whatever about Mrs. Jellyby.
    »In-deed! Mrs. Jellyby,« said Mr. Kenge, standing with his back to the fire,
and casting his eyes over the dusty hearth-rug as if it were Mrs. Jellyby's
biography, »is a lady of very remarkable strength of character, who devotes
herself entirely to the public. She has devoted herself to an extensive variety
of public subjects, at various times, and is at present (until something else
attracts her) devoted to the subject of Africa; with a view to the general
cultivation of the coffee berry - and the natives - and the happy settlement, on
the banks of the African rivers, of our superabundant home population. Mr.
Jarndyce, who is desirous to aid any work that is considered likely to be a good
work, and who is much sought after by philanthropists, has, I believe, a very
high opinion of Mrs. Jellyby.«
    Mr. Kenge, adjusting his cravat, then looked at us.
    »And Mr. Jellyby, sir?« suggested Richard.
    »Ah! Mr. Jellyby,« said Mr. Kenge, »is - a - I don't know that I can
describe him to you better than by saying that he is the husband of Mrs.
Jellyby.«
    »A nonentity, sir?« said Richard, with a droll look.
    »I don't say that,« returned Mr. Kenge, gravely. »I can't say that, indeed,
for I know nothing whatever of Mr. Jellyby. I never, to my knowledge, had the
pleasure of seeing Mr. Jellyby. He may be a very superior man; but he is, so to
speak, merged - Merged - in the more shining qualities of his wife.« Mr. Kenge
proceeded to tell us that as the road to Bleak House would have been very long,
dark, and tedious, on