But his composure is so noticeable, that
Mr. Crisparkle speaks of it as they come out from Vespers.
'I must thank you, Jasper, for the pleasure with which I have heard
you to-day. Beautiful! Delightful! You could not have so outdone
yourself, I hope, without being wonderfully well.'
'I AM wonderfully well.'
'Nothing unequal,' says the Minor Canon, with a smooth motion of
his hand: 'nothing unsteady, nothing forced, nothing avoided; all
thoroughly done in a masterly manner, with perfect self-command.'
'Thank you. I hope so, if it is not too much to say.'
'One would think, Jasper, you had been trying a new medicine for
that occasional indisposition of yours.'
'No, really? That's well observed; for I have.'
'Then stick to it, my good fellow,' says Mr. Crisparkle, clapping
him on the shoulder with friendly encouragement, 'stick to it.'
'I will.'
'I congratulate you,' Mr. Crisparkle pursues, as they come out of
the Cathedral, 'on all accounts.'
'Thank you again. I will walk round to the Corner with you, if you
don't object; I have plenty of time before my company come; and I
want to say a word to you, which I think you will not be displeased
to hear.'
'What is it?'
'Well. We were speaking, the other evening, of my black humours.'
Mr. Crisparkle's face falls, and he shakes his head deploringly.
'I said, you know, that I should make you an antidote to those
black humours; and you said you hoped I would consign them to the
flames.
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