And it was
particularly kind of him to come, for he had but just gone.'
'Have you settled,' asked Rosa, appealing to them both, 'what is to
be done for Helena and her brother?'
'Why really,' said Mr. Crisparkle, 'I am in great perplexity. If
even Mr. Grewgious, whose head is much longer than mine, and who is
a whole night's cogitation in advance of me, is undecided, what
must I be!'
The Unlimited here put her head in at the door--after having
rapped, and been authorised to present herself--announcing that a
gentleman wished for a word with another gentleman named
Crisparkle, if any such gentleman were there. If no such gentleman
were there, he begged pardon for being mistaken.
'Such a gentleman is here,' said Mr. Crisparkle, 'but is engaged
just now.'
'Is it a dark gentleman?' interposed Rosa, retreating on her
guardian.
'No, Miss, more of a brown gentleman.'
'You are sure not with black hair?' asked Rosa, taking courage.
'Quite sure of that, Miss. Brown hair and blue eyes.'
'Perhaps,' hinted Mr. Grewgious, with habitual caution, 'it might
be well to see him, reverend sir, if you don't object. When one is
in a difficulty or at a loss, one never knows in what direction a
way out may chance to open. It is a business principle of mine, in
such a case, not to close up any direction, but to keep an eye on
every direction that may present itself.
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