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shelf； painted in imitation of a very red…brick dwelling…house； with
a yellow roof； having at top a real chimney； down which voluntary
subscribers dropped their silver； gold； or pence； into the parlour；
and on the door the counterfeit presentment of a brass plate；
whereon was legibly inscribed ‘Protestant Association：’—and
looking at it； said； that it was to her a source of poignant misery to
think that Varden never had； of all his substance； dropped
anything into that temple； save once in secret—as she afterwards
discovered—two fragments of tobacco…pipe； which she hoped
would not be put down to his last account。 That Dolly； she was
grieved to say； was no less backward in her contributions； better
loving； as it seemed； to purchase ribbons and such gauds； than to
encourage the great cause； then in such heavy tribulation； and
that she did entreat her （her father she much feared could not be
moved） not to despise； but imitate； the bright example of Miss
Miggs； who flung her wages； as it were； into the very countenance
of the Pope； and bruised his features with her quarter’s money。
‘Oh； mim；’ said Miggs； ‘don’t relude to that。 I had no intentions；
mim； that nobody should know。 Such sacrifices as I can make； are
quite a widder’s mite。 It’s all I have；’ cried Miggs with a great burst
of tears—for with her they never came on by degrees—‘but it’s
made up to me in other ways； it’s well made up。’
This was quite true； though not perhaps in the sense that Miggs
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intended。 As she never failed to keep her self…denial full in Mrs
Varden’s view； it drew forth so many gifts of caps and gowns and
other articles of dress； that upon the whole the red…brick house
was perhaps the best investment for her small capital she could
possibly have hit upon； returning her interest； at the rate of seven
or eight per cent in money； and fifty at least in personal repute and
credit。
‘You needn’t cry； Miggs；’ said Mrs Varden； herself in tears； ‘you
needn’t be ashamed of it； though your poor mistress is on the
same side。’
Miggs howled at this remark； in a peculiarly dismal way； and
said she knowed that master hated her。 That it was a dreadful
thing to live in families and have dislikes； and not give
satisfactions。 That to make divisions was a thing she could not
abear to think of； neither could her feelings let her do it。 That if it
was master’s wishes as she and him should part； it was best they
should part； and she hoped he might be the happier for it； and
always wished him well； and that he might find somebody as
would meet his dispositions。 It would be a hard trial； she said； to
part from such a missis； but she could meet any suffering when
her conscience told her she was in the rights； and therefore she
was willing even to go that lengths。 She did not think； she added；
that she could long survive the separations； but； as she was hated
and looked upon unpleasant； perhaps her dying as soon as
possible would be the best endings for all parties。 With this
affecting conclusion； Miss Miggs shed more tears； and sobbed
abundantly。
‘Can you bear this； Varden？’ said his wife in a solemn voice；
laying down her knife and fork。
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‘Why； not very well； my dear；’ rejoined the locksmith； ‘but I try
to keep my temper。’
‘Don’t let there be words on my account； mim；’ sobbed Miggs。
‘It’s much the best that we should part。 I wouldn’t stay—oh；
gracious me！—and make dissensions； not for a annual gold mine；
and found in tea and sugar。’
Lest the reader should be at any loss to discover the cause of
Miss Miggs’s deep emotion； it may be whispered apart that；
happening to be listening； as her custom sometimes was； when
Gabriel and his wife conversed together； she had heard the
locksmith’s joke relative to the foreign black who played the
tambourine； and bursting with the spiteful feelings which the
taunt awoke in her fair breast； exploded in the manner we have
witnessed。 Matters having now arrived at a crisis； the locksmith； as
usual； and for the sake of peace and quietness； gave in。
‘What are you crying for； girl？’ he said。 ‘What’s the matter with
you？ What are you talking about hatred for？ I don’t hate you； I
don’t hate anybody。 Dry your eyes and make yourself agreeable； in
Heaven’s name； and let us all be happy while we can。’
The allied powers deeming it good generalship to consider this
a sufficient apology on the part of the enemy； and confession of
having been in the wrong； did dry their eyes and take it in good
part。 Miss Miggs observed that she bore no malice； no not to her
greatest foe； whom she rather loved the more indeed； the greater
persecution she sustained。 Mrs Varden approved of this meek and
forgiving spirit in high terms； and incidentally declared as a
closing article of agreement； that Dolly should accompany her to
the Clerkenwell branch of the association； that very night。 This
was an extraordinary instance of her great prudence and policy；
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having had this end in view from the first； and entertaining a
secret misgiving that the locksmith （who was bold when Dolly was
in question） would object； she had backed Miss Miggs up to this
point； in order that she might have him at a disadvantage。 The
manoeuvre succeeded so well that Gabriel only made a wry face；
and with the warning he had just had； fresh in his mind； did not
dare to say one word。
The difference ended； therefore； in Miggs being presented with
a gown by Mrs Varden and half…a…crown by Dolly； as if she had
eminently distinguished herself in the paths of morality and
goodness。 Mrs V。； according to custom； expressed her hope that
Varden would take a lesson from what had passed and learn more
generous conduct for the time to come； and the dinner being now
cold and nobody’s appetite very much improved by what had
passed； they went on with it； as Mrs Varden said； ‘like Christians。’
As there was to be a grand parade of the Royal East London
Volunteers that afternoon； the locksmith did no more work； but
sat down comfortably with his pipe in his mouth； and his arm
round his pretty daughter’s waist； looking lovingly on Mrs V。； from
time to time； and exhibiting from the crown of his head to the sole
of his foot； one smiling surface of good humour。 And to be sure；
when it was time to dress him in his regimentals； and Dolly；
hanging about him in all kinds of graceful winning ways； helped to
button and buckle and brush him up and get him into one of the
tightest coats that ever was made by mortal tailor； he was the
proudest father in all England。
‘What a handy jade it is！’ said the locksmith to Mrs Varden； who
stood by with folded hands—rather proud of her husband too—
while Miggs held his cap and sword at arm’s length； as if
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mistrusting that the latter might run some one through the b