Nay, my dears, why blush at being detected in your everyday pursuits?
We had prepared to give you the reception of a visitor, Martin, in our little room of state,' said Mr Pecksniff, smiling, 'but I like this better, I like this better!' Oh blessed star of Innocence, wherever you may be, how did you glitter in your home of ether, when the two Miss Pecksniffs put forth each her lily hand, and gave the same, with mantling cheeks, to Martin! How did you twinkle, as if fluttering with sympathy, when Mercy, reminded of the bonnet in her hair, hid her fair face and turned her head aside; the while her gentle sister plucked it out, and smote her with a sister's soft reproof, upon her buxom shoulder! 'And how,' said Mr Pecksniff, turning round after the contemplation of these passages, and taking Mr Pinch in a friendly manner by the elbow, 'how has our friend used you, Martin ?' 'Very well indeed, sir.

We are on the best terms, I assure you.' 'Old Tom Pinch!' said Mr Pecksniff, looking on him with affectionate sadness.

'Ah! It seems but yesterday that Thomas was a boy fresh from a scholastic course.

Yet years have passed, I think, since Thomas Pinch and I first walked the world together!' Mr Pinch could say nothing.

He was too much moved.