'Very much so indeed, ma'am,' said the beadle.  As he spoke, hedrew a chair beside the matron, and tenderly inquired what hadhappened to distress her.

　　'Nothing,' replied Mrs. Corney.  'I am a foolish, excitable, weakcreetur.'

　　'Not weak, ma'am,' retorted Mr. Bumble, drawing his chair alittle closer.  'Are you a weak creetur, Mrs. Corney?'

　　'We are all weak creeturs,' said Mrs. Corney, laying down ageneral principle.

　　'So we are,' said the beadle.

　　Nothing was said on either side, for a minute or two afterwards.By the expiration of that time, Mr. Bumble had illustrated theposition by removing his left arm from the back of Mrs. Corney'schair, where it had previously rested, to Mrs. Corney'saprong-string, round which is gradually became entwined.

　　'We are all weak creeturs,' said Mr. Bumble.

　　Mrs. Corney sighed.

　　'Don't sigh, Mrs. Corney,' said Mr. Bumble.

　　'I can't help it,' said Mrs. Corney.  And she sighed again.

　　'This is a very comfortable room, ma'am,' said Mr. Bumble lookinground.  'Another room, and this, ma'am, would be a completething.'

　　'It would be too much for one,' murmured the lady.

　　'But not for two, ma'am,' rejoined Mr. Bumble, in soft accents.'Eh, Mrs. Corney?'

　　Mrs. Corney drooped her head, when the beadle said this; thebeadle drooped his, to get a view of Mrs. Corney's face.  Mrs.Corney, with great propriety, turned her head away, and releasedher hand to get at her pocket-handkerchief; but insensiblyreplaced it in that of Mr. Bumble.