Nothing of this appeared, however. On the contrary, Mr Quilp was
all blandness and suavity, and presided over the case-bottle of rum
with extraordinary open-heartedness.
'Why, let me see,' said Quilp. 'It must be a matter of nearly two
years since we were first acquainted.'
'Nearer three, I think,' said Trent.
'Nearer three!' cried Quilp. 'How fast time flies. Does it seem as
long as that to you, Mrs Quilp?'
'Yes, I think it seems full three years, Quilp,' was the
unfortunate reply.
'Oh indeed, ma'am,' thought Quilp, 'you have been pining, have you?
Very good, ma'am.'
'It seems to me but yesterday that you went out to Demerara in the
Mary Anne,' said Quilp; 'but yesterday, I declare. Well, I like a
little wildness. I was wild myself once.'
Mr Quilp accompanied this admission with such an awful wink,
indicative of old rovings and backslidings, that Mrs Jiniwin was
indignant, and could not forbear from remarking under her breath
that he might at least put off his confessions until his wife was
absent; for which act of boldness and insubordination Mr Quilp
first stared her out of countenance and then drank her health
ceremoniously.
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