This reference to Mrs Clennam's voice reminded Mr Flintwinch to step
into the hall and call up the staircase. 'It's all right, I am here,
Affery is coming with your light.' Then he said to the latter
flustered woman, who was putting her cap on, 'Get out with you, and get
up-stairs!' and then turned to the stranger and said to him, 'Now, sir,
what might you please to want?' 'I am afraid,' said the stranger, 'I must be so troublesome as to
propose a candle.'
'True,' assented Jeremiah. 'I was going to do so. Please to stand where
you are while I get one.' The visitor was standing in the doorway, but turned a little into the
gloom of the house as Mr Flintwinch turned, and pursued him with his
eyes into the little room, where he groped about for a phosphorus box.
When he found it, it was damp, or otherwise out of order; and match
after match that he struck into it lighted sufficiently to throw a dull
glare about his groping face, and to sprinkle his hands with pale little
spots of fire, but not sufficiently to light the candle. The stranger,
taking advantage of this fitful illumination of his visage, looked
intently and wonderingly at him. Jeremiah, when he at last lighted
the candle, knew he had been doing this, by seeing the last shade of
a lowering watchfulness clear away from his face, as it broke into the
doubtful smile that was a large ingredient in its expression.