'Oh, ma'am, how witty you are,' retorted Miss Squeers with a low curtsy,
'almost as witty, ma'am, as you are clever. How very clever it was in
you, ma'am, to choose a time when I had gone to tea with my pa, and
was sure not to come back without being fetched! What a pity you never
thought that other people might be as clever as yourself and spoil your
plans!'
'You won't vex me, child, with such airs as these,' said the late Miss
Price, assuming the matron.
'Don't MISSIS me, ma'am, if you please,' returned Miss Squeers, sharply.
'I'll not bear it. Is THIS the hend--'
'Dang it a',' cried John Browdie, impatiently. 'Say thee say out, Fanny,
and mak' sure it's the end, and dinnot ask nobody whether it is or not.'
'Thanking you for your advice which was not required, Mr Browdie,'
returned Miss Squeers, with laborious politeness, 'have the goodness not
to presume to meddle with my Christian name. Even my pity shall never
make me forget what's due to myself, Mr Browdie. 'Tilda,' said Miss
Squeers, with such a sudden accession of violence that John started in
his boots, 'I throw you off for ever, miss.
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