I really don't know what to say.

You have never been a companion before, have you ?' Mrs Nickleby, who had been eagerly watching her opportunity, came dexterously in, before Kate could reply.

'Not to any stranger, ma'am,' said the good lady; 'but she has been a companion to me for some years.
I am her mother, ma'am.' 'Oh!' said Mrs Wititterly, 'I apprehend you.' 'I assure you, ma'am,' said Mrs Nickleby, 'that I very little thought, at one time, that it would be necessary for my daughter to go out into the world at all, for her poor dear papa was an independent gentleman, and would have been at this moment if he had but listened in time to my constant entreaties and--' 'Dear mama,' said Kate, in a low voice.
'My dear Kate, if you will allow me to speak,' said Mrs Nickleby, 'I shall take the liberty of explaining to this lady--' 'I think it is almost unnecessary, mama.' And notwithstanding all the frowns and winks with which Mrs Nickleby intimated that she was going to say something which would clench the business at once, Kate maintained her point by an expressive look, and for once Mrs Nickleby was stopped upon the very brink of an oration.
'What are your accomplishments ?' asked Mrs Wititterly, with her eyes shut.
Kate blushed as she mentioned her principal acquirements, and Mrs Nickleby checked them all off, one by one, on her fingers; having calculated the number before she came out.

Luckily the two calculations agreed, so Mrs Nickleby had no excuse for talking.
'You are a good temper ?' asked Mrs Wititterly, opening her eyes for an instant, and shutting them again.
'I hope so,' rejoined Kate.
'And have a highly respectable reference for everything, have you ?' Kate replied that she had, and laid her uncle's card upon the table.
'Have the goodness to draw your chair a little nearer, and let me look at you,' said Mrs Wititterly; 'I am so very nearsighted that I can't quite discern your features.' Kate complied, though not without some embarrassment, with this request, and Mrs Wititterly took a languid survey of her countenance, which lasted some two or three minutes.
'I like your appearance,' said that lady, ringing a little bell.
'Alphonse, request your master to come here.' The page disappeared on this errand, and after a short interval, during which not a word was spoken on either side, opened the door for an important gentleman of about eight-and-thirty, of rather plebeian countenance, and with a very light head of hair, who leant over Mrs Wititterly for a little time, and conversed with her in whispers.
'Oh!' he said, turning round, 'yes.

This is a most important matter.