With Mr. Grewgious, when the clock struck
ten in the morning, came Mr. Crisparkle, who had come at one plunge
out of the river at Cloisterham.
'Miss Twinkleton was so uneasy, Miss Rosa,' he explained to her,
'and came round to Ma and me with your note, in such a state of
wonder, that, to quiet her, I volunteered on this service by the
very first train to be caught in the morning. I wished at the time
that you had come to me; but now I think it best that you did AS
you did, and came to your guardian.'
'I did think of you,' Rosa told him; 'but Minor Canon Corner was so
near him - '
'I understand. It was quite natural.'
'I have told Mr. Crisparkle,' said Mr. Grewgious, 'all that you
told me last night, my dear. Of course I should have written it to
him immediately; but his coming was most opportune. And it was
particularly kind of him to come, for he had but just gone.'
'Have you settled,' asked Rosa, appealing to them both, 'what is to
be done for Helena and her brother?'
'Why really,' said Mr. Crisparkle, 'I am in great perplexity. If
even Mr. Grewgious, whose head is much longer than mine, and who is
a whole night's cogitation in advance of me, is undecided, what
must I be!'
The Unlimited here put her head in at the door - after having
rapped, and been authorised to present herself - announcing that a
gentleman wished for a word with another gentleman named
Crisparkle, if any such gentleman were there. If no such gentleman
were there, he begged pardon for being mistaken.
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