Well, it took my mind off from every- thing else; took it
clear off, and centered it in my helmet; and mile after mile, there it stayed, imagining the handkerchief, picturing the handkerchief; and it was bitter and aggravating to have the salt sweat keep trickling down into my eyes, and I couldn't get at it.
But though the water could
clear off the blood, it could not remove the black and blue marks which Thwackum had imprinted on both his face and breast, and which, being discerned by Sophia, drew from her a sigh and a look full of inexpressible tenderness.
'Sir,' returned the locksmith, 'she herself prevented me--held me, with all her strength, and hung about me until he had got
clear off.' And having gone so far, he related circumstantially all that had passed upon the night in question.
With another he tapped Eric on the head; and, with a third broad swing, ere the other could recover himself, he swept him
clear off the stage, much as you would brush a fly off the window pane.
'I might have got
clear off, if I'd split upon her; mightn't I, Fagin?' angrily pursued the poor half-witted dupe.
I set myself close up to a shop-side with my back to the counter, as if to let the crowd pass by, when keeping my eye upon a parcel of lace which the shopkeeper was showing to some ladies that stood by me, the shopkeeper and her maid were so taken up with looking to see who was coming, and what shop they would go to, that I found means to slip a paper of lace into my pocket and come
clear off with it; so the lady-milliner paid dear enough for her gaping after the queen.
Said Mrs Podsnap then to Mr Podsnap, 'Which will enable us to
clear off all those people who are due.'