Mrs. Sparsit recognized the hand, intimated that such confirmation was quite unnecessary, and gave Mr. Bounderby’s address, with all needful clues and directions in aid.
‘ Thousand thanks,’ said the stranger. ‘Of course you know the Banker well?’
‘ Yes, sir,’ rejoined Mrs. Sparsit. ‘In my dependent relation towards him, I have known him ten years.’
‘ Quite an eternity! I think he married Gradgrind’s daughter?’
‘ Yes,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, suddenly compressing her mouth, ‘he had that—honour.’
‘ The lady is quite a philosopher, I am told?’
‘ Indeed, sir,’ said Mrs. Sparsit. ‘Is she?’
‘ Excuse my impertinent curiosity,’ pursued the stranger, fluttering over Mrs. Sparsit’s eyebrows, with a propitiatory air, ‘but you know the family, and know the world. I am about to know the f
