A decent annuity would have restored her thoughts to their old train, at once.
'Repining is of no use, ma'am,' said Ralph.

'Of all fruitless errands, sending a tear to look after a day that is gone is the most fruitless.' 'So it is,' sobbed Mrs Nickleby.

'So it is.' 'As you feel so keenly, in your own purse and person, the consequences of inattention to business, ma'am,' said Ralph, 'I am sure you will impress upon your children the necessity of attaching themselves to it early in life.' 'Of course I must see that,' rejoined Mrs Nickleby.

'Sad experience, you know, brother-in-law .-- Kate, my dear, put that down in the next letter to Nicholas, or remind me to do it if I write.' Ralph paused for a few moments, and seeing that he had now made pretty sure of the mother, in case the daughter objected to his proposition, went on to say: 'The situation that I have made interest to procure, ma'am, is with--with a milliner and dressmaker, in short.' 'A milliner!' cried Mrs Nickleby.
'A milliner and dressmaker, ma'am,' replied Ralph.

'Dressmakers in London, as I need not remind you, ma'am, who are so well acquainted with all matters in the ordinary routine of life, make large fortunes, keep equipages, and become persons of great wealth and fortune.' Now, the first idea called up in Mrs Nickleby's mind by the words milliner and dressmaker were connected with certain wicker baskets lined with black oilskin, which she remembered to have seen carried to and fro in the streets; but, as Ralph proceeded, these disappeared, and were replaced by visions of large houses at the West end, neat private carriages, and a banker's book; all of which images succeeded each other with such rapidity, that he had no sooner finished speaking, than she nodded her head and said 'Very true,' with great appearance of satisfaction.
'What your uncle says is very true, Kate, my dear,' said Mrs Nickleby.
'I recollect when your poor papa and I came to town after we were married, that a young lady brought me home a chip cottage-bonnet, with white and green trimming, and green persian lining, in her own carriage, which drove up to the door full gallop;--at least, I am not quite certain whether it was her own carriage or a hackney chariot, but I remember very well that the horse dropped down dead as he was turning round, and that your poor papa said he hadn't had any corn for a fortnight.' This anecdote, so strikingly illustrative of the opulence of milliners, was not received with any great demonstration of feeling, inasmuch as Kate hung down her head while it was relating, and Ralph manifested very intelligible symptoms of extreme impatience.
'The lady's name,' said Ralph, hastily striking in, 'is Mantalini--Madame Mantalini.