? ? ? ? While we were at table, I thought it a favourable occasion to tell Peggotty about Mr. Barkis, who, before I had finished what I had to tell her, began to laugh, and throw her apron over her face.
? ? ? ? 'Peggotty,' said my mother. 'What's the matter?'
? ? ? ? Peggotty only laughed the more, and held her apron tight over her face when my mother tried to pull it away, and sat as if her head were in a bag.
? ? ? ? 'What are you doing, you stupid creature?' said my mother, laughing.
? ? ? ? 'Oh, drat the man!' cried Peggotty. 'He wants to marry me.'
? ? ? ? 'It would be a very good match for you; wouldn't it?' said my mother.
? ? ? ? 'Oh! I don't know,' said Peggotty. 'Don't ask me. I wouldn't have him if he was made of gold. Nor I wouldn't have anybody.'
? ? ? ? 'Then, why don't you tell him so, you ridiculous thing?' said my mother.
? ? ? ? 'Tell him so,' retorted Peggotty, looking out of her apron. 'He has never said a word to me about it. He knows better. If he was to make so bold as say a word to me, I should slap his face.'
? ? ? ? Her own was as red as ever I saw it, or any other face, I think; but she only covered it again, for a few moments at a time, when she was taken with a violent fit of laughter; and after two or three of those attacks, went on with her dinner.
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