Tilly never came out in such force before . Her ubiquity was the theme of general admiration . She was a stumbling-block in the passage at five-and-twenty minutes past two ; a man-trap in the kitchen at half-past two precisely ; and a pitfall in the garret at five-and-twenty minutes to three . The Baby 's head was , as it were , a test and touchstone for every description of matter , animal , vegetable , and mineral . Nothing was in use that day that did n't come , at some time or other , into close acquaintance with it . Then there was a great Expedition set on foot to go and find out Mrs. Fielding ; and to be dismally penitent to that excellent gentlewoman ; and to bring her back , by force , if needful , to be happy and forgiving . And when the Expedition first discovered her , she would listen to no terms at all , but said , an unspeakable number of times , that ever she should have lived to see the day ! and could n't be got to say anything else , except `` Now carry me to the grave '' : which seemed absurd , on account of her not being dead , or anything at all like it . After a time she lapsed into a state of dreadful calmness , and observed that , when that unfortunate train of circumstances had occurred in the Indigo Trade , she had foreseen that she would be exposed , during her whole life , to every species of insult and contumely ; and that she was glad to find it was the case ; and begged they would n't trouble themselves about her , -- for what was she ? -- oh dear ! a nobody ! -- but would forget that such a being lived , and would take their course in life without her . From this bitterly sarcastic mood she passed into an angry one , in which she gave vent to the remarkable expression that the worm would turn if trodden on ; and , after that , she yielded to a soft regret , and said , if they had only given her their confidence , what might she not have had it in her power to suggest ! Taking advantage of this crisis in her feelings , the Expedition embraced her ; and she very soon had her gloves on , and was on her way to John Peerybingle 's in a state of unimpeachable gentility ; with a paper parcel at her side containing a cap of state , almost as tall , and quite as stiff , as a mitre . Then , there were Dot 's father and mother to come in another little chaise ; and they were behind their time ; and fears were entertained ; and there was much looking out for them down the road ; and Mrs. Fielding always would look in the wrong and morally impossible direction ; and , being apprised thereof , hoped she might take the liberty of looking where she pleased . At last they came ; a chubby little couple , jogging along in a snug and comfortable little way that quite belonged to the Dot family ; and Dot and her mother , side by side , were wonderful to see . They were so like each other . Then Dot 's mother had to renew her acquaintance with May 's mother ; and May 's mother always stood on her gentility ; and Dot 's mother never stood on anything but her active little feet . And old Dot -- so to call Dot 's father , I forgot it was n't his right name , but never mind -- took liberties , and shook hands at first sight , and seemed to think a cap but so much starch and muslin , and did n't defer himself at all to the Indigo Trade , but said there was no help for it now ; and , in Mrs. Fielding 's summing up , was a good-natured kind of man -- but coarse , my dear . I would n't have missed Dot , doing the honours in her wedding-gown , my benison on her bright face !
XXXXX any money .
After At From about during except for if on past