"
The extreme exigency of the case inspired me with a certain calmness of
despair. Having advanced to meet this august personage, conducted him to
the desk, and placed for him the official chair, which he shortly
refused, I lifted my eyes, "prepared for any fate," to observe what might
be the condition of my turbulent flock, and lo--all the tops, and
Jews-harps, and apples, and whirligigs, and miniature buzz-saws had
disappeared, and there was an array of pallid faces bent over another
array of books--many of the latter were upside down, but the effect was
unbroken. Even Estella, moved by some sudden divine sense of the fitness
of things, had ceased her desultory wanderings about the room with the
tin dipper, and, not having had time to procure a book, was working out
imaginary problems on her fingers with the air of a Herschel, and I
became slowly conscious that there was such a stillness in that room as
had not been--no, nor anything like unto it,--since the first time I
entered there.
I think Mr. Baxter must have observed something of the look of helpless
astonishment which transfixed my features. I certainly saw the shadow of
a smile lurking in his steel-gray eyes.
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