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time to think how kind it was； when Flora dashed at the breakfast…table
full of business； and plunged over head and ears into loquacity。
'Really so sorry that I should happen to be late on this morning of all
mornings because my intention and my wish was to be ready to meet you
when you came in and to say that any one that interested Arthur Clennam
half so much must interest me and that I gave you the heartiest wele
and was so glad； instead of which they never called me and there I
still am snoring I dare say if the truth was known and if you don't like
either cold fowl or hot boiled ham which many people don't I dare say
besides Jews and theirs are scruples of conscience which we must all
respect though I must say I wish they had them equally strong when they
sell us false articles for real that certainly ain't worth the money I
shall be quite vexed；' said Flora。
Little Dorrit thanked her； and said； shyly； bread…and…butter and tea was
all she usually……
'Oh nonsense my dear child I can never hear of that；' said Flora；
turning on the urn in the most reckless manner； and making herself wink
by splashing hot water into her eyes as she bent down to look into the
teapot。 'You are ing here on the footing of a friend and panion
you know if you will let me take that liberty and I should be ashamed
of myself indeed if you could e here upon any other； besides which
Arthur Clennam spoke in such terms……you are tired my dear。'
'No； ma'am。'
'You turn so pale you have walked too far before breakfast and I dare
say live a great way off and ought to have had a ride；' said Flora；
'dear dear is there anything that would do you good？'
'Indeed I am quite well； ma'am。 I thank you again and again； but I am
quite well。'
'Then take your tea at once I beg；' said Flora； 'and this wing of fowl
and bit of ham； don't mind me or wait for me； because I always carry in
this tray myself to Mr F。's Aunt who breakfasts in bed and a charming
old lady too and very clever； Portrait of Mr F。 behind the door and very
like though too much forehead and as to a pillar with a marble pavement
and balustrades and a mountain； I never saw him near it nor not likely
in the wine trade； excellent man but not at all in that way。'
Little Dorrit glanced at the portrait； very imperfectly following the
references to that work of art。
'Mr F。 was so devoted to me that he never could bear me out of his
sight；' said Flora； 'though of course I am unable to say how long that
might have lasted if he hadn't been cut short while I was a new broom；
worthy man but not poetical manly prose but not romance。'
Little Dorrit glanced at the portrait again。 The artist had given it a
head that would have been； in an intellectual point of view； top…heavy
for Shakespeare。 'Romance； however；' Flora went on； busily arranging Mr
F。's Aunt's toast； 'as I openly said to Mr F。 when he proposed to me
and you will be surprised to hear that he proposed seven times once in a
hackney…coach once in a boat once in a pew once on a donkey at Tunbridge
Wells and the rest on his knees； Romance was fled with the early days of
Arthur Clennam； our parents tore us asunder we became marble and stern
reality usurped the throne； Mr F。 said very much to his credit that
he was perfectly aware of it and even preferred that state of things
accordingly the word was spoken the fiat went forth and such is life you
see my dear and yet we do not break but bend； pray make a good breakfast
while I go in with the tray。'
She disappeared； leaving Little Dorrit to ponder over the meaning of her
scattered words。 She soon came back again； and at last began to take her
own breakfast； talking all the while。
'You see； my dear；' said Flora； measuring out a spoonful or two of some
broelt like brandy； and putting it into her tea； 'I am
obliged to be careful to follow the directions of my medical man though
the flavour is anything but agreeable being a poor creature and it may
be have never recovered the shock received in youth from too much giving
way to crying in the next room when separated from Arthur； have you
known him long？'
As soon as Little Dorrit prehended that she had been asked this
question……for which time was necessary； the galloping pace of her new
patroness having left her far behind……she answered that she had known Mr
Clennam ever since his return。
'To be sure you couldn't have known him before unless you had been in
China or had corresponded neither of which is likely；' returned Flora；
'for travelling…people usually get more or less mahogany and you are not
at all so and as to corresponding what about？ that's very true unless
tea； so it was at his mother's was it really that you knew him first；
highly sensible and firm but dreadfully severe……ought to be the mother
of the man in the iron mask。'
'Mrs Clennam has been kind to me；' said Little Dorrit。
'Really？ I am sure I am glad to hear it because as Arthur's mother it's
naturally pleasant to my feelings to have a better opinion of her than
I had before； though what she thinks of me when I run on as I am certain
to do and she sits glowering at me like Fate in a go…cart……shocking
parison really……invalid and not her fault……I never know or can
imagine。'
'Shall I find my work anywhere； ma'am？' asked Little Dorrit； looking
timidly about； 'can I get it？'
'You industrious little fairy；' returned Flora； taking； in another cup
of tea； another of the doses prescribed by her medical man； 'there's
not the slightest hurry and it's better that we should begin by being
confidential about our mutual friend……too cold a word for me at least
I don't mean that； very proper expression mutual friend……than bee
through mere formalities not you but me like the Spartan boy with the
fox biting him； which I hope you'll excuse my bringing up for of all
the tiresome boys that will go tumbling into every sort of pany that
boy's the tiresomest。'
Little Dorrit； her face very pale； sat down again to listen。 'Hadn't I
better work the while？' she asked。 'I can work and attend too。 I would
rather； if I may。'
Her earnestness was so expressive of her being uneasy without her work；
that Flora answered； 'Well my dear whatever you like best；' and produced
a basket of white handkerchiefs。 Little Dorrit gladly put it by her
side； took out her little pocket…housewife； threaded the needle； and
began to hem。
'What nimble fingers you have；' said Flora； 'but are you sure you are
well？'
'Oh yes； indeed！'
Flora put her feet upon the fender； and settled herself for a thorough
good romantic disclosure。 She started off at score； tossing her head；
sighing in the most demonstrative manner； making a great deal of use
of her eyebrows； and occasionally； but not often； glancing at the quiet
face that bent over the work。
'You must know my dear；' said Flora； 'but that I have no doubt you know
already not only because I have already thrown it out in a general way
but because I feel I carry it stamped in burning what's his names
upon my brow that before I was introduced to the late Mr F。 I had
been engaged to Arthur Clennam……Mr Clennam in public where reserve is
necessary Arthur here……we wer