Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: NoneVarious
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: None
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
"I don't say that," returned Mr. Kenge, gravely. "I can't say that,
indeed, for I know nothing whatever _of_ Mr. Jellyby. I never, to my
knowledge, had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Jellyby. He may be a very
superior man; but he is, so to speak, merged--merged--in the more
shining qualities of his wife." Mr. Kenge proceeded to tell us that as
the road to Bleak House would have been very long, dark, and tedious, on
such an evening, and as we had been traveling already, Mr. Jarndyce had
himself proposed this arrangement. A carriage would be at Mrs. Jellyby's
to convey us out of town, early in the forenoon of to-morrow.
He then rang a little bell, and the young gentleman came in. Addressing
him by the name of Guppy, Mr. Kenge inquired whether Miss Summerson's
boxes and the rest of the baggage had been "sent round." Mr. Guppy said
yes, they had been sent round, and a coach was waiting to take us round
too, as soon as we pleased.
"Then it only remains," said Mr. Kenge, shaking hands with us, "for me
to express my lively satisfaction in (good-day, Miss Clare!) the
arrangement this day concluded, and my (_good_-by to you, Miss
Summerson!) lively hope that it will conduce to the happiness, the (glad
to have had the honor of making your acquaintance, Mr. Carstone!)
welfare, the advantage in all points of view, of all concerned! Guppy,
see the party safely there."
"Where _is_ 'there,' Mr. Guppy?" said Richard, as he went down stairs.
"No distance," said Mr. Guppy; "round in Thavies' Inn, you know."
"I can't say I know where it is, for I come from Winchester, and am
strange in London."
"Only round the corner," said Mr. Guppy. "We just twist up
Chancery-lane, and out along Holborn, and there we are in four minutes'
time, as near as a toucher. This is about a London particular _now_,
ain't it, miss?" He seemed quite delighted with it on my account.
"The fog is very dense indeed!" said I.
"Not that it affects you, though, I am sure," said Mr. Guppy, putting up
the steps. "On the contrary, it seems to do you good, miss, judging from
your appearance."
I knew he meant well in paying me this compliment, so I laughed at
myself for blushing at it, when he had shut the door and got upon the
box; and we all three laughed, and chatted about our inexperience, and
the strangeness of London, until we turned up under an archway, to our
destination: a narrow street of high houses, like an oblong cistern to
hold the fog. There was a confused little crowd of people, principally
children, gathered about the house at which we stopped, which had a
tarnished brass plate on the door, with the inscription, JELLYBY.
"Don't be frightened!" said Mr. Guppy, look-in at the coach-window. "One
of the young Jellybys been and got his head through the area railings!"
"O poor child," said I, "let me out, if you please!"
"Pray be careful of yourself, miss. The young Jellybys are always up to
something," said Mr. Guppy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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