Page:Oliver Twist (1838) vol. 2.djvu/60

50 to be grateful for—a great deal, if we did but know it. Ah!"

Mrs. Corney shook her he admournfullyhead mournfully [sic], as if deploring the mental blindness of those paupers who did not know it, and, thrusting a silver spoon (private property) into the inmost recesses of a two-ounce tin tea-caddy, proceeded to make the tea. How slight a thing will disturb the equanimity of our frail minds! The black teapot, being very small and easily filled, ran over while Mrs. Corney was moralizing, and the water slightly scalded Mrs. Corney's hand. "Drat the pot!" said the worthy matron, setting it down very hastily on the hob; "a little stupid thing, that only holds a couple of cups! What use is it of to any body?—except." said Mrs. Corney, pausing,—" except to a poor desolate creature like me. Oh dear!" With these words the matron dropped into her chair, and, once more resting her elbow on the table, thought of her solitary fate. The small teapot and the single cup had awakened