Mr. Bumble had re-counted the teaspoons, re-weighed thesugar-tongs, made a closer inspection of the milk-pot, andascertained to a nicety the exact condition of the furniture,down to the very horse-hair seats of the chairs; and had repeatedeach process full half a dozen times; before he began to thinkthat it was time for Mrs. Corney to return. Thinking begetsthinking; as there were no sounds of Mrs. Corney's approach, itoccured to Mr. Bumble that it would be an innocent and virtuousway of spending the time, if he were further to allay hiscuriousity by a cursory glance at the interior of Mrs. Corney'schest of drawers.

　　Having listened at the keyhole, to assure himself that nobody wasapproaching the chamber, Mr. Bumble, beginning at the bottom,proceeded to make himself acquainted with the contents of thethree long drawers: which, being filled with various garments ofgood fashion and texture, carefully preserved between two layersof old newspapers, speckled with dried lavender: seemed to yieldhim exceeding satisfaction.  Arriving, in course of time, at theright-hand corner drawer (in which was the key), and beholdingtherein a small padlocked box, which, being shaken, gave forth apleasant sound, as of the chinking of coin, Mr. Bumble returnedwith a stately walk to the fireplace; and, resuming his oldattitude, said, with a grave and determined air, 'I'll do it!'He followed up this remarkable declaration, by shaking his headin a waggish manner for ten minutes, as though he wereremonstrating with himself for being such a pleasant dog; andthen, he took a view of his legs in profile, with much seemingpleasure and interest.

　　He was still placidly engaged in this latter survey, when Mrs.Corney, hurrying into the room, threw herself, in a breathlessstate, on a chair by the fireside, and covering her eyes with onehand, placed the other over her heart, and gasped for breath.

　　'Mrs. Corney,' said Mr. Bumble, stooping over the matron, 'whatis this, ma'am?  Has anything happened, ma'am?  Pray answer me:I'm on--on--' Mr. Bumble, in his alarm, could not immediatelythink of the word 'tenterhooks,' so he said 'broken bottles.'