'What folly is this! Let us take heed how we laugh without reason lest we cry with it.

What is the domestic news since yesterday?
John Westlock is gone, I hope ?' 'Indeed, no,' said Charity.
'And why not ?' returned her father.

'His term expired yesterday.

And his box was packed, I know; for I saw it, in the morning, standing in the hall.' 'He slept last night at the Dragon,' returned the young lady, 'and had Mr Pinch to dine with him.

They spent the evening together, and Mr Pinch was not home till very late.' 'And when I saw him on the stairs this morning, Pa,' said Mercy with her usual sprightliness, 'he looked, oh goodness, SUCH a monster! with his face all manner of colours, and his eyes as dull as if they had been boiled, and his head aching dreadfully, I am sure from the look of it, and his clothes smelling, oh it's impossible to say how strong, oh'-- here the young lady shuddered--'of smoke and punch.' 'Now I think,' said Mr Pecksniff with his accustomed gentleness, though still with the air of one who suffered under injury without complaint, 'I think Mr Pinch might have done better than choose for his companion one who, at the close of a long intercourse, had endeavoured, as he knew, to wound my feelings.