55
"Ironically, Dickens seems to have been susceptible to Double
Gloucester cheeses himself with children; Wilfred Meynell in a
private memoir telling of Dickens's relations to his wife Alice's
family, says that 'Nine times nine?' in his demanding voice still
resounded in the grown-up Alices ears
But if Pip and David both hated sums, Jemmy, the small boy in the
Christmas story, MRS LIRRIPER'S LODGINGS, really loved them. The
reason is not far to seek; he was not bullied during his arithmetic
lessons. It will be recalled that the little boy had been adopted
by Mrs Lirriper and her lodger, Major Jackman, and it may also be
recalled that Mrs Lirriper did not like the idea of encouraging
the small boy's talent too vigorously. When Major Jackman opined
that Jemmy might well become another "Calculating Boy" she became
ectremely worried and told the Major very forcefully: "Major I'll
be candid with you, and tell you openly, that if ever I find the
dear child fall off his appetite I shall know it's his calculations
and shall put a stop to them at two minutes' notice."
Jemmy, however, took to mathematics like a duck to water. When the
Major set the problem "Three saucepans, an Italian iron, a handbell,
a toasting-fork, a nutmeg grater, four pot lids, a spice box, two
egg-cups, and a chopping-board how many?" Jemmy answered without
a pause "Tifteen, tut down tive and carry ler toppin' board" and
then clapped his hands, drew up his legs, and danced on his chair.
Soon he was ready for the higher branches of mathematics, which are,
of course, "Tickleication" and "Umtraction"
When Nicholas Nickleby became inquisitive about the young lady who
had fainted in the office of the Brothers Cheeryblehe was quickly
diverted from the subject by a much harder sum than the one given
above. When Tim Linkinwater came out of the office, Nicholas
pounced on him.
'Is she quite recovered asked Nicholas impetuously.
'Who returned Tim Linkinwater.
'Who repeated Nicholas. "Why The young lady
"What do you make, Mr Nickleby,' said Tim, taking his pen out of
his mouth. 'What do you make of four hundred and twenty seven