She came languishing out of her own exclusive back parlour, with the air of having been expressly brought-to for the purpose, from an accumulation of several swoons.
'I hope I see you well, sir,' said Mrs.Billickin, recognising her visitor with a bend.
'Thank you, quite well.

And you, ma'am ?' returned Mr.Grewgious.
'I am as well,' said Mrs.Billickin, becoming aspirational with excess of faintness, 'as I hever ham.' 'My ward and an elderly lady,' said Mr.Grewgious, 'wish to find a genteel lodging for a month or so.

Have you any apartments available, ma'am ?' 'Mr.Grewgious,' returned Mrs.Billickin, 'I will not deceive you; far from it.

I _have_ apartments available.' This with the air of adding: 'Convey me to the stake, if you will; but while I live, I will be candid.' 'And now, what apartments, ma'am ?' asked Mr.Grewgious, cosily.

To tame a certain severity apparent on the part of Mrs.Billickin.
'There is this sitting-room--which, call it what you will, it is the front parlour, Miss,' said Mrs.Billickin, impressing Rosa into the conversation: 'the back parlour being what I cling to and never part with; and there is two bedrooms at the top of the 'ouse with gas laid on.
I do not tell you that your bedroom floors is firm, for firm they are not.