Leaving  the  old  unfortunate,  whom  in  an  evil  hour  she  had  taken
under  her  protection,  with  a  hurried  promise  to  return  to  him  directly,
Little  Dorrit  hastened  after  her  father,  and,  on  the  staircase,  found
Fanny  following  her,  and  flouncing  up  with  offended  dignity.  The
three  came  into  the  room  almost  together ;  and  the  Father  sat  down  in
his  chair,  buried  his  face  in  his  hands,  and  uttered  a  groan.
"  Of  course,"  said  Fanny.  "Very  proper.  Poor,  afflicted  Pa!
Now,  I  hope  you  believe  me,  Miss  !  "

"What  is  it,  father?"  cried  Little  Dorrit,  bending  over  him.
"  Have  I  made  you  unhappy,  father  ?     Not  I,  I  hope !  "

"  You  hope,  indeed !  I  dare  say !  Oh,  you  " — Fanny  paused  for  a
sufficiently  strong  expression — "  you  Common-minded  little  Amy !
You  complete  prison-child  !  "

He  stopped  these  angry  reproaches  with  a  wave  of  his  hand,  and


274  LITTLE    DORRIT.
sobbed  out,  raising  his  face,  and  shaking  his  melancholy  head  at  his
younger  daughter,  "  Amy,  I  know  that  you  are  innocent  in  intention.
But  you  have  cut  me  to  the  soul/'

"  Innocent  in  intention !  "  the  implacable  Fanny  struck  in.  "  Stun0
in  intention  !  Low  in  intention  !  Lowering  of  the  family  in
intention ! "

" Father!"  cried  Little  Dorrit,  pale  and  trembling,  "I  am  very
sorry.  Pray  forgive  me.  Tell  me  how  it  is,  that  I  may  not  do  it
again !  "

"How  it  is,  you  prevaricating  little  piece  of  goods ! "  cried  Fanny.
