A gusty sigh from Tom made sentiment impossible , as he said pensively : ' I always wanted to be a twin . It 's so sociable and so cosy to have someone glad to lean on a fellow and comfort him , if other girls are cruel . ' As Tom 's unrequited passion was the standing joke of the family , this allusion produced a laugh , which Nan increased by whipping out a bottle of Nux , saying , with her professional air : ' I knew you ate too much lobster for tea . Take four pellets , and your dyspepsia will be all right . Tom always sighs and is silly when he 's overeaten . ' ` I 'll take 'em . These are the only sweet things you ever give me . ' And Tom gloomily crunched his dose . ' `` Who can minister to a mind diseased , or pluck out a rooted sorrow ? '' quoted Josie tragically from her perch on the railing . ` Come with me , Tommy , and I 'll make a man of you . Drop your pills and powders , and cavort round the world a spell , and you 'll soon forget you 've got a heart , or a stomach either , ' said Dan , offering his one panacea for all ills . ` Ship with me , Tom . A good fit of seasickness will set you up , and a stiff north-easter blow your blue-devils away . Come along as surgeon -- easy berth , and no end of larks . ' ' `` And if your Nancy frowns , my lad , And scorns a jacket blue , Just hoist your sails for other ports , And find a maid more true . '' ' added Emil , who had a fragment of song to cheer every care and sorrow , and freely offered them to his friends . ` Perhaps I 'll think of it when I 've got my diploma . I 'm not going to grind three mortal years and have nothing to show for it . Till then , -- ' ` I 'll never desert Mrs Micawber , ' interrupted Teddy , with a gurgling sob .
XXXXX immediately rolled him off the step into the wet grass below ; and by the time this slight skirmish was over , the jingle of teaspoons suggested refreshments of a more agreeable sort .
Dan Emil Josie Micawber Tom blue-devils dyspepsia overeaten panacea seasickness