Book The First: Poverty Chapter 26 Nobody's State of Mind

'Come in, come in!' said Clennam.

'I saw you were reading,' returned Doyce, as he entered, 'and thought
you might not care to be disturbed.'

But for the notable resolution he had made, Clennam really might not
have known what he had been reading; really might not have had his eyes
upon the book for an hour past, though it lay open before him. He shut
it up, rather quickly. 'Are they well?' he asked.

'Yes,' said Doyce; 'they are well. T

hey are all well.' Daniel had an old workmanlike habit of carrying his pocket-handkerchief
in his hat. He took it out and wiped his forehead with it, slowly
repeating, 'They are all well. Miss Minnie looking particularly well, I
thought.' 'Any company at the cottage?' 'No, no company.'

'And how did you get on, you four?' asked Clennam
gaily. 'There were five of us,' returned his partner. 'There was
What's-his-name. He was there.' 'Who is he?' said Clennam.

'Mr Henry Gowan.' 'Ah, to be sure!' cried Clennam with unusual vivacity, 'Yes!--I forgot
him.' 'As I mentioned, you may remember,' said Daniel Doyce, 'he is always
there on Sunday.' 'Yes, yes,' returned Clennam; 'I remember now.'

Daniel Doyce, still wiping his forehead, ploddingly repeated. 'Yes. He
was there, he was there. Oh yes, he was there. And his dog. He was there
too.' 'Miss Meagles is quite attached to--the--dog,' observed Clennam.