'Not even to have a score of mothers-in-law at the same time--and what a blessing that would be!' 'My daughter's your wife, Mr Quilp, certainly,' said the old lady with a giggle, meant for satirical and to imply that he needed to be reminded of the fact; 'your wedded wife.' 'So she is, certainly.

So she is,' observed the dwarf.
'And she has has a right to do as she likes, I hope, Quilp,' said the old lady trembling, partly with anger and partly with a secret fear of her impish son-in-law.
'Hope she has!' he replied.

'Oh! Don't you know she has?
Don't you know she has, Mrs Jiniwin?
'I know she ought to have, Quilp, and would have, if she was of my way of thinking.' 'Why an't you of your mother's way of thinking, my dear ?' said the dwarf, turing round and addressing his wife, 'why don't you always imitate your mother, my dear?
She's the ornament of her sex--your father said so every day of his life.

I am sure he did.' 'Her father was a blessed creetur, Quilp, and worthy twenty thousand of some people,' said Mrs Jiniwin; 'twenty hundred million thousand.' 'I should like to have known him,' remarked the dwarf.

'I dare say he was a blessed creature then; but I'm sure he is now.