mentioned to him, that if he
would like at any time after dusk, quietly to step out into the fore-court, and
take a look at the street, there was not much to prevent him. If he did not
avail himself of this latter civility, it was only because he had lost the
relish for it; inasmuch as he took everything else he could get, and would say
at times, »Extremely civil person, Chivery; very attentive man and very
respectful. Young Chivery, too; really almost with a delicate perception of
one's position here. A very well conducted family indeed, the Chiveries. Their
behaviour gratifies me.«
    The devoted Young John all this time regarded the family with reverence. He
never dreamed of disputing their pretensions, but did homage to the miserable
Mumbo Jumbo they paraded. As to resenting any affront from her brother, he would
have felt, even if he had not naturally been of a most pacific disposition, that
to wag his tongue or lift his hand against that sacred gentleman would be an
unhallowed act. He was sorry that his noble mind should take offence; still, he
felt the fact to be not incompatible with its nobility, and sought to propitiate
and conciliate that gallant soul. Her father, a gentleman in misfortune - a
gentleman of a fine spirit and courtly manners, who always bore with him - he
deeply honoured. Her sister, he considered somewhat vain and proud, but a young
lady of infinite accomplishments, who could not forget the past. It was an
instinctive testimony to Little Dorrit's worth, and difference from all the
rest, that the poor young fellow honoured and loved her for being simply what
she was.
    The tobacco business round the corner of Horsemonger Lane was carried on in
a rural establishment one story high, which had the benefit of the air from the
yards of Horsemonger Lane Jail, and the advantage of a retired walk under the
wall of that pleasant establishment. The business was of too modest a character
to support a life-size Highlander, but it maintained a little one on a bracket
on the door- who looked like a fallen Cherub that had found it necessary to take
to a kilt.
    From the portal thus decorated, one Sunday after an early dinner of baked
viands, Young John issued forth on his usual Sunday errand; not empty-handed,
but with his offering of cigars. He was neatly attired in a plum-coloured coat,
with as large a collar of black velvet as his figure could carry; a silken
waistcoat, bedecked with golden sprigs; a chaste neckerchief