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Thegirllaugheddelightedly，andhereeyesfilledwithpleasanttears，asheputbothhisarmsroundherwaistandsoheldher。
\'Thereareyouandme，Charley，whenfatherwasawayatworkandlockedusout，forfearweshouldsetourselvesafireorfalloutofwindow，sittingonthedoor-sill，sittingonotherdoor-steps，sittingonthebankoftheriver，wanderingabouttogetthroughthetime。
Youareratherheavytocarry，Charley，andIamoftenobligedtorest。Sometimeswearesleepyandfallasleeptogetherinacorner，sometimesweareveryhungry，sometimeswearealittlefrightened，butwhatisoftenestharduponusisthecold。Youremember，Charley?\'
\'Iremember，\'saidtheboy，pressinghertohimtwiceorthrice，\'thatIsnuggledunderalittleshawl，anditwaswarmthere。\'
\'Sometimesitrains，andwecreepunderaboatorthelikeofthat:
sometimesit\'sdark，andwegetamongthegaslights，sittingwatchingthepeopleastheygoalongthestreets。Atlast，upcomesfatherandtakesushome。Andhomeseemssuchashelterafteroutofdoors！Andfatherpullsmyshoesoff，anddriesmyfeetatthefire，andhasmetositbyhimwhilehesmokeshispipelongafteryouareabed，andInoticethatfather\'sisalargehandbutneveraheavyonewhenittouchesme，andthatfather\'sisaroughvoicebutneveranangryonewhenitspeakstome。So，Igrowup，andlittlebylittlefathertrustsme，andmakesmehiscompanion，and，lethimbeputoutashemay，neveroncestrikesme。\'
Thelisteningboygaveagrunthere，asmuchastosay\'ButhestrikesMEthough！\'
\'Thosearesomeofthepicturesofwhatispast，Charley。\'
\'Cutawayagain，\'saidtheboy，\'andgiveusafortune-tellingone；afutureone。\'
\'Well！ThereamI，continuingwithfatherandholdingtofather，becausefatherlovesmeandIlovefather。Ican\'tsomuchasreadabook，because，ifIhadlearned，fatherwouldhavethoughtIwasdesertinghim，andIshouldhavelostmyinfluence。IhavenottheinfluenceIwanttohave，IcannotstopsomedreadfulthingsItrytostop，butIgooninthehopeandtrustthatthetimewillcome。InthemeanwhileIknowthatIaminsomethingsastaytofather，andthatifIwasnotfaithfultohimhewould——inrevenge-like，orindisappointment，orboth——gowildandbad。\'
\'Giveusatouchofthefortune-tellingpicturesaboutme。\'
\'Iwaspassingontothem，Charley，\'saidthegirl，whohadnotchangedherattitudesinceshebegan，andwhonowmournfullyshookherhead；\'theotherswereallleadingup。Thereareyou——\'
\'WhereamI，Liz?\'
\'Stillinthehollowdownbytheflare。\'
\'Thereseemstobethedeuce-and-allinthehollowdownbytheflare，\'saidtheboy，glancingfromhereyestothebrazier，whichhadagrislyskeletonlookonitslongthinlegs。
\'Thereareyou，Charley，workingyourway，insecretfromfather，attheschool；andyougetprizes；andyougoonbetterandbetter；andyoucometobea——whatwasityoucalleditwhenyoutoldmeaboutthat?\'
\'Ha，ha！Fortune-tellingnotknowthename！\'criedtheboy，seemingtoberatherrelievedbythisdefaultonthepartofthehollowdownbytheflare。\'Pupil-teacher。\'
\'Youcometobeapupil-teacher，andyoustillgoonbetterandbetter，andyourisetobeamasterfulloflearningandrespect。Butthesecrethascometofather\'sknowledgelongbefore，andithasdividedyoufromfather，andfromme。\'
\'Noithasn\'t！\'
\'Yesithas，Charley。Isee，asplainasplaincanbe，thatyourwayisnotours，andthateveniffathercouldbegottoforgiveyourtakingit(whichhenevercouldbe)，thatwayofyourswouldbedarkenedbyourway。ButIseetoo，Charley——\'
\'Stillasplainasplaincanbe，Liz?\'askedtheboyplayfully。
\'Ah！Still。Thatitisagreatworktohavecutyouawayfromfather\'slife，andtohavemadeanewandgoodbeginning。SothereamI，Charley，leftalonewithfather，keepinghimasstraightasI
can，watchingformoreinfluencethanIhave，andhopingthatthroughsomefortunatechance，orwhenheisill，orwhen——Idon\'tknowwhat——Imayturnhimtowishtodobetterthings。\'
\'Yousaidyoucouldn\'treadabook，Lizzie。Yourlibraryofbooksisthehollowdownbytheflare，Ithink。\'
\'Ishouldbeverygladtobeabletoreadrealbooks。Ifeelmywantoflearningverymuch，Charley。ButIshouldfeelitmuchmore，ifIdidn\'tknowittobeatiebetweenmeandfather——Hark！Father\'stread！\'
Itbeingnowpastmidnight，thebirdofpreywentstraighttoroost。
Atmid-dayfollowinghereappearedattheSixJollyFellowshipPorters，inthecharacter，notnewtohim，ofawitnessbeforeaCoroner\'sJury。
MrMortimerLightwood，besidessustainingthecharacterofoneofthewitnesses，doubledthepartwiththatoftheeminentsolicitorwhowatchedtheproceedingsonbehalfoftherepresentativesofthedeceased，aswasdulyrecordedinthenewspapers。MrInspectorwatchedtheproceedingstoo，andkepthiswatchingcloselytohimself。MrJuliusHandfordhavinggivenhisrightaddress，andbeingreportedinsolventcircumstancesastohisbill，thoughnothingmorewasknownofhimathishotelexceptthathiswayoflifewasveryretired，hadnosummonstoappear，andwasmerelypresentintheshadesofMrInspector\'smind。
Thecasewasmadeinterestingtothepublic，byMrMortimerLighiwood\'sevidencetouchingthecircumstancesunderwhichthedeceased，MrJohnHarmon，hadreturnedtoEngland；exclusiveprivateproprietorshipinwhichcircumstanceswassetupatdinner-
tablesforseveraldays，byVeneering，Twemlow，Podsnap，andalltheBuffers:whoallrelatedthemirreconcilablywithoneanother，andcontradictedthemselves。ItwasalsomadeinterestingbythetestimonyofJobPotterson，theship\'ssteward，andoneMrJacobKibble，afellow-passenger，thatthedeceasedMrJohnHarmondidbringover，inahand-valisewithwhichhediddisembark，thesumrealizedbytheforcedsaleofhislittlelandedproperty，andthatthesumexceeded，inreadymoney，sevenhundredpounds。Itwasfurthermadeinteresting，bytheremarkableexperiencesofJesseHexaminhavingrescuedfromtheThamessomanydeadbodies，andforwhosebehoofarapturousadmirersubscribinghimself\'A
friendtoBurial\'(perhapsanundertaker)，senteighteenpostagestamps，andfive\'NowSir\'stotheeditoroftheTimes。
Upontheevidenceadducedbeforethem，theJuryfound，ThatthebodyofMrJohnHarmonhadbeendiscoveredfloatingintheThames，inanadvancedstateofdecay，andmuchinjured；andthatthesaidMrJohnHarmonhadcomebyhisdeathunderhighlysuspiciouscircumstances，thoughbywhoseactorinwhatprecisemannertherewasnoevidencebeforethisJurytoshow。Andtheyappendedtotheirverdict，arecommendationtotheHomeOffice(whichMrInspectorappearedtothinkhighlysensible)，toofferarewardforthesolutionofthemystery。Withineight-and-fortyhours，arewardofOneHundredPoundswasproclaimed，togetherwithafreepardontoanypersonorpersonsnottheactualperpetratororperpetrators，andsoforthindueform。
ThisProclamationrenderedMrInspectoradditionallystudious，andcausedhimtostandmeditatingonriver-stairsandcauseways，andtogolurkingaboutinboats，puttingthisandthattogether。
But，accordingtothesuccesswithwhichyouputthisandthattogether，yougetawomanandafishapart，oraMermaidincombination。AndMrInspectorcouldturnoutnothingbetterthanaMermaid，whichnoJudgeandJurywouldbelievein。
Thus，likethetidesonwhichithadbeenbornetotheknowledgeofmen，theHarmonMurder——asitcametobepopularlycalled——wentupanddown，andebbedandflowed，nowinthetown，nowinthecountry，nowamongpalaces，nowamonghovels，nowamonglordsandladiesandgentlefolks，nowamonglabourersandhammerersandballast-heavers，untilatlast，afteralongintervalofslackwateritgotouttoseaanddriftedaway。
Chapter4
THER。WILFERFAMILY
ReginaldWilferisanamewithratheragrandsound，suggestingonfirstacquaintancebrassesincountrychurches，scrollsinstained-glasswindows，andgenerallytheDeWilferswhocameoverwiththeConqueror。For，itisaremarkablefactingenealogythatnoDeAnyonesevercameoverwithAnybodyelse。
But，theReginaldWilferfamilywereofsuchcommonplaceextractionandpursuitsthattheirforefathershadforgenerationsmodestlysubsistedontheDocks，theExciseOffice，andtheCustomHouse，andtheexistingR。Wilferwasapoorclerk。Sopooraclerk，thoughhavingalimitedsalaryandanunlimitedfamily，thathehadneveryetattainedthemodestobjectofhisambition:whichwas，towearacompletenewsuitofclothes，hatandbootsincluded，atonetime。Hisblackhatwasbrownbeforehecouldaffordacoat，hispantaloonswerewhiteattheseamsandkneesbeforehecouldbuyapairofboots，hisbootshadwornoutbeforehecouldtreathimselftonewpantaloons，and，bythetimeheworkedroundtothehatagain，thatshiningmodernarticleroofed-inanancientruinofvariousperiods。
IftheconventionalCherubcouldevergrowupandbeclothed，hemightbephotographedasaportraitofWilfer。Hischubby，smooth，innocentappearancewasareasonforhisbeingalwaystreatedwithcondescensionwhenhewasnotputdown。Astrangerenteringhisownpoorhouseataboutteno\'clockP。M。mighthavebeensurprisedtofindhimsittinguptosupper。Soboyishwasheinhiscurvesandproportions，thathisoldschoolmastermeetinghiminCheapside，mighthavebeenunabletowithstandthetemptationofcaninghimonthespot。Inshort，hewastheconventionalcherub，afterthesupposititiousshootjustmentioned，rathergrey，withsignsofcareonhisexpression，andindecidedlyinsolventcircumstances。
Hewasshy，andunwillingtoowntothenameofReginald，asbeingtooaspiringandself-assertiveaname。InhissignatureheusedonlytheinitialR。，andimpartedwhatitreallystoodfor，tononebutchosenfriends，underthesealofconfidence。Outofthis，thefacetioushabithadarisenintheneighbourhoodsurroundingMincingLaneofmakingchristiannamesforhimofadjectivesandparticiplesbeginningwithR。Someoftheseweremoreorlessappropriate:asRusty，Retiring，Ruddy，Round，Ripe，Ridiculous，Ruminative；others，derivedtheirpointfromtheirwantofapplication:asRaging，Rattling，Roaring，Raffish。But，hispopularnamewasRumty，whichinamomentofinspirationhadbeenbestoweduponhimbyagentlemanofconvivialhabitsconnectedwiththedrug-markets，asthebeginningofasocialchorus，hisleadingpartintheexecutionofwhichhadledthisgentlemantotheTempleofFame，andofwhichthewholeexpressiveburdenran:
\'Rumtyiddity，rowdowdow，Singtoodlely，teedlely，bowwowwow。\'
Thushewasconstantlyaddressed，eveninminornotesonbusiness，as\'DearRumty\'；inanswertowhich，hesedatelysignedhimself，\'Yourstruly，R。Wilfer。\'
Hewasclerkinthedrug-houseofChicksey，Veneering，andStobbles。ChickseyandStobbles，hisformermasters，hadbothbecomeabsorbedinVeneering，oncetheirtravellerorcommissionagent:whohadsignalizedhisaccessiontosupremepowerbybringingintothebusinessaquantityofplate-glasswindowandFrench-polishedmahoganypartition，andagleamingandenormousdoorplate。
R。Wilferlockeduphisdeskoneevening，and，puttinghisbunchofkeysinhispocketmuchasifitwerehispeg-top，madeforhome。HishomewasintheHollowayregionnorthofLondon，andthendividedfromitbyfieldsandtrees。BetweenBattleBridgeandthatpartoftheHollowaydistrictinwhichhedwelt，wasatractofsuburbanSahara，wheretilesandbrickswereburnt，boneswereboiled，carpetswerebeat，rubbishwasshot，dogswerefought，anddustwasheapedbycontractors。Skirtingtheborderofthisdesert，bythewayhetook，whenthelightofitskiln-firesmadeluridsmearsonthefog，R。Wilfersighedandshookhishead。
\'Ahme！\'saidhe，\'whatmighthavebeenisnotwhatis！\'
Withwhichcommentaryonhumanlife，indicatinganexperienceofitnotexclusivelyhisown，hemadethebestofhiswaytotheendofhisjourney。
MrsWilferwas，ofcourse，atallwomanandanangular。Herlordbeingcherubic，shewasnecessarilymajestic，accordingtotheprinciplewhichmatrimoniallyunitescontrasts。Shewasmuchgiventotyingupherheadinapocket-handkerchief，knottedunderthechin。Thishead-gear，inconjunctionwithapairofgloveswornwithindoors，sheseemedtoconsiderasatonceakindofarmouragainstmisfortune(invariablyassumingitwheninlowspiritsordifficulties)，andasaspeciesoffulldress。Itwasthereforewithsomesinkingofthespiritthatherhusbandbeheldherthusheroicallyattired，puttingdownhercandleinthelittlehall，andcomingdownthedoorstepsthroughthelittlefrontcourttoopenthegateforhim。
Somethinghadgonewrongwiththehouse-door，forR。Wilferstoppedonthesteps，staringatit，andcried:
\'Hal-loa?\'
\'Yes，\'saidMrsWilfer，\'themancamehimselfwithapairofpincers，andtookitoff，andtookitaway。Hesaidthatashehadnoexpectationofeverbeingpaidforit，andashehadanorderforanotherLADIES\'SCHOOLdoor-plate，itwasbetter(burnishedup)fortheinterestsofallparties。\'
\'Perhapsitwas，mydear；whatdoyouthink?\'
\'Youaremasterhere，R。W。，\'returnedhiswife。\'Itisasyouthink；
notasIdo。Perhapsitmighthavebeenbetterifthemanhadtakenthedoortoo?\'
\'Mydear，wecouldn\'thavedonewithoutthedoor。\'
\'Couldn\'twe?\'
\'Why，mydear！Couldwe?\'
\'Itisasyouthink，R。W。；notasIdo。\'Withthosesubmissivewords，thedutifulwifeprecededhimdownafewstairstoalittlebasementfrontroom，halfkitchen，halfparlour，whereagirlofaboutnineteen，withanexceedinglyprettyfigureandface，butwithanimpatientandpetulantexpressionbothinherfaceandinhershoulders(whichinhersexandatherageareveryexpressiveofdiscontent)，satplayingdraughtswithayoungergirl，whowastheyoungestoftheHouseofWilfer。NottoencumberthispagebytellingofftheWilfersindetailandcastingthemupinthegross，itisenoughforthepresentthattherestwerewhatiscalled\'outintheworld，\'invariousways，andthattheywereMany。Somany，thatwhenoneofhisdutifulchildrencalledintoseehim，R。Wilfergenerallyseemedtosaytohimself，afteralittlementalarithmetic，\'Oh！here\'sanotherof\'em！\'beforeaddingaloud，\'Howdedo，John，\'
orSusan，asthecasemightbe。
\'WellPiggywiggies，\'saidR。W。，\'howdedoto-night?WhatIwasthinkingof，mydear，\'toMrsWilferalreadyseatedinacornerwithfoldedgloves，\'was，thataswehaveletourfirstfloorsowell，andaswehavenownoplaceinwhichyoucouldteachpupilsevenifpupils——\'
\'Themilkmansaidheknewoftwoyoungladiesofthehighestrespectabilitywhowereinsearchofasuitableestablishment，andhetookacard，\'interposedMrsWilfer，withseveremonotony，asifshewerereadinganActofParliamentaloud。\'TellyourfatherwhetheritwaslastMonday，Bella。\'
\'Butweneverheardanymoreofit，ma，\'saidBella，theeldergirl。
\'Inadditiontowhich，mydear，\'herhusbandurged，\'ifyouhavenoplacetoputtwoyoungpersonsinto——\'
\'Pardonme，\'MrsWilferagaininterposed；\'theywerenotyoungpersons。Twoyoungladiesofthehighestrespectability。Tellyourfather，Bella，whetherthemilkmansaidso。\'
\'Mydear，itisthesamething。\'
\'Noitisnot，\'saidMrsWilfer，withthesameimpressivemonotony。
\'Pardonme！\'
\'Imean，mydear，itisthesamethingastospace。Astospace。Ifyouhavenospaceinwhichtoputtwoyouthfulfellow-creatures，howevereminentlyrespectable，whichIdonotdoubt，wherearethoseyouthfulfellow-creaturestobeaccommodated?Icarryitnofurtherthanthat。Andsolelylookingatit，\'saidherhusband，makingthestipulationatonceinaconciliatory，complimentary，andargumentativetone——\'asIamsureyouwillagree，mylove——
fromafellow-creaturepointofview，mydear。\'
\'Ihavenothingmoretosay，\'returnedMrsWilfer，withameekrenunciatoryactionofhergloves。\'Itisasyouthink，R。W。；
notasIdo。\'
Here，thehuffingofMissBellaandthelossofthreeofhermenataswoop，aggravatedbythecoronationofanopponent，ledtothatyounglady\'sjerkingthedraught-boardandpiecesoffthetable:
whichhersisterwentdownonherkneestopickup。
\'PoorBella！\'saidMrsWilfer。
\'AndpoorLavinia，perhaps，mydear?\'suggestedR。W。
\'Pardonme，\'saidMrsWilfer，\'no！\'
Itwasoneoftheworthywoman\'sspecialitiesthatshehadanamazingpowerofgratifyingherspleneticorwordly-mindedhumoursbyextollingherownfamily:whichshethusproceeded，inthepresentcase，todo。
\'No，R。W。LaviniahasnotknownthetrialthatBellahasknown。
ThetrialthatyourdaughterBellahasundergone，is，perhaps，withoutaparallel，andhasbeenborne，Iwillsay，Nobly。WhenyouseeyourdaughterBellainherblackdress，whichshealoneofallthefamilywears，andwhenyourememberthecircumstanceswhichhaveledtoherwearingit，andwhenyouknowhowthosecircumstanceshavebeensustained，then，R。W。，layyourheaduponyourpillowandsay，“PoorLavinia！“\'
Here，MissLavinia，fromherkneelingsituationunderthetable，putinthatshedidn\'twanttobe\'pooredbypa\'，oranybodyelse。
\'Iamsureyoudonot，mydear，\'returnedhermother，\'foryouhaveafinebravespirit。AndyoursisterCeciliahasafinebravespiritofanotherkind，aspiritofpuredevotion，abeau-ti-fulspirit！Theself-sacrificeofCeciliarevealsapureandwomanlycharacter，veryseldomequalled，neversurpassed。IhavenowinmypocketaletterfromyoursisterCecilia，receivedthismorning——receivedthreemonthsafterhermarriage，poorchild！——inwhichshetellsmethatherhusbandmustunexpectedlyshelterundertheirroofhisreducedaunt。“ButIwillbetruetohim，mamma，“shetouchinglywrites，“Iwillnotleavehim，Imustnotforgetthatheismyhusband。Lethisauntcome！“Ifthisisnotpathetic，ifthisisnotwoman\'sdevotion——！\'Thegoodladywavedherglovesinasenseoftheimpossibilityofsayingmore，andtiedthepocket-
handkerchiefoverherheadinatighterknotunderherchin。
Bella，whowasnowseatedontherugtowarmherself，withherbrowneyesonthefireandahandfulofherbrowncurlsinhermouth，laughedatthis，andthenpoutedandhalfcried。
\'Iamsure，\'saidshe，\'thoughyouhavenofeelingforme，pa，Iamoneofthemostunfortunategirlsthateverlived。Youknowhowpoorweare\'(itisprobablehedid，havingsomereasontoknowit！)，\'andwhataglimpseofwealthIhad，andhowitmeltedaway，andhowIamhereinthisridiculousmourning——whichIhate！——akindofawidowwhoneverwasmarried。Andyetyoudon\'tfeelforme——Yesyoudo，yesyoudo。\'
Thisabruptchangewasoccasionedbyherfather\'sface。Shestoppedtopullhimdownfromhischairinanattitudehighlyfavourabletostrangulation，andtogivehimakissandapatortwoonthecheek。
\'Butyououghttofeelforme，youknow，pa。\'
\'Mydear，Ido。\'
\'Yes，andIsayyououghtto。Iftheyhadonlyleftmealoneandtoldmenothingaboutit，itwouldhavematteredmuchless。ButthatnastyMrLightwoodfeelsithisduty，ashesays，towriteandtellmewhatisinreserveforme，andthenIamobligedtogetridofGeorgeSampson。\'
Here，Lavinia，risingtothesurfacewiththelastdraughtmanrescued，interposed，\'YounevercaredforGeorgeSampson，Bella。\'
\'AnddidIsayIdid，miss?\'Then，poutingagain，withthecurlsinhermouth；\'GeorgeSampsonwasveryfondofme，andadmiredmeverymuch，andputupwitheverythingIdidtohim。\'
\'Youwererudeenoughtohim，\'Laviniaagaininterposed。
\'AnddidIsayIwasn\'t，miss?IamnotsettinguptobesentimentalaboutGeorgeSampson。IonlysayGeorgeSampsonwasbetterthannothing。\'
\'Youdidn\'tshowhimthatyouthoughteventhat，\'Laviniaagaininterposed。
\'Youareachitandalittleidiot，\'returnedBella，\'oryouwouldn\'tmakesuchadollyspeech。Whatdidyouexpectmetodo?Waittillyouareawoman，anddon\'ttalkaboutwhatyoudon\'tunderstand。Youonlyshowyourignorance！\'Then，whimperingagain，andatintervalsbitingthecurls，andstoppingtolookhowmuchwasbittenoff，\'It\'sashame！Thereneverwassuchahardcase！Ishouldn\'tcaresomuchifitwasn\'tsoridiculous。Itwasridiculousenoughtohaveastrangercomingovertomarryme，whetherhelikeditornot。Itwasridiculousenoughtoknowwhatanembarrassingmeetingitwouldbe，andhowwenevercouldpretendtohaveaninclinationofourown，eitherofus。ItwasridiculousenoughtoknowIshouldn\'tlikehim——howCOULDI
likehim，lefttohiminawill，likeadozenofspoons，witheverythingcutanddriedbeforehand，likeorangechips。Talkoforangeflowersindeed！Ideclareagainit\'sashame！Thoseridiculouspointswouldhavebeensmoothedawaybythemoney，forIlovemoney，andwantmoney——wantitdreadfully。Ihatetobepoor，andwearedegradinglypoor，offensivelypoor，miserablypoor，beastlypoor。ButhereIam，leftwithalltheridiculouspartsofthesituationremaining，and，addedtothemall，thisridiculousdress！Andifthetruthwasknown，whentheHarmonmurderwasalloverthetown，andpeoplewerespeculatingonitsbeingsuicide，Idaresaythoseimpudentwretchesattheclubsandplacesmadejokesaboutthemiserablecreature\'shavingpreferredawaterygravetome。It\'slikelyenoughtheytooksuchliberties；Ishouldn\'twonder！Ideclareit\'saveryhardcaseindeed，andIamamostunfortunategirl。Theideaofbeingakindofawidow，andneverhavingbeenmarried！Andtheideaofbeingaspooraseverafterall，andgoingintoblack，besides，foramanIneversaw，andshouldhavehated——asfarasHEwasconcerned——ifIhadseen！\'
Theyounglady\'slamentationswerecheckedatthispointbyaknuckle，knockingatthehalf-opendooroftheroom。Theknucklehadknockedtwoorthreetimesalready，buthadnotbeenheard。
\'Whoisit?\'saidMrsWilfer，inherAct-of-Parliamentmanner。
\'Enter！\'
Agentlemancomingin，MissBella，withashortandsharpexclamation，scrambledoffthehearth-rugandmassedthebittencurlstogetherintheirrightplaceonherneck。
\'TheservantgirlhadherkeyinthedoorasIcameup，anddirectedmetothisroom，tellingmeIwasexpected。IamafraidIshouldhaveaskedhertoannounceme。\'
\'Pardonme，\'returnedMrsWilfer。\'Notatall。Twoofmydaughters。R。W。，thisisthegentlemanwhohastakenyourfirst-
floor。Hewassogoodastomakeanappointmentforto-night，whenyouwouldbeathome。\'
Adarkgentleman。Thirtyattheutmost。Anexpressive，onemightsayhandsome，face。Averybadmanner。Inthelastdegreeconstrained，reserved，diffident，troubled。HiseyeswereonMissBellaforaninstant，andthenlookedatthegroundasheaddressedthemasterofthehouse。
\'SeeingthatIamquitesatisfied，MrWilfer，withtherooms，andwiththeirsituation，andwiththeirprice，Isupposeamemorandumbetweenusoftwoorthreelines，andapaymentdown，willbindthebargain?Iwishtosendinfurniturewithoutdelay。\'
Twoorthreetimesduringthisshortaddress，thecherubaddressedhadmadechubbymotionstowardsachair。Thegentlemannowtookit，layingahesitatinghandonacornerofthetable，andwithanotherhesitatinghandliftingthecrownofhishattohislips，anddrawingitbeforehismouth。
\'Thegentleman，R。W。，\'saidMrsWilfer，\'proposestotakeyourapartmentsbythequarter。Aquarter\'snoticeoneitherside。\'
\'ShallImention，sir，\'insinuatedthelandlord，expectingittobereceivedasamatterofcourse，\'theformofareference?\'
\'Ithink，\'returnedthegentleman，afterapause，\'thatareferenceisnotnecessary；neither，tosaythetruth，isitconvenient，forIamastrangerinLondon。Irequirenoreferencefromyou，andperhaps，therefore，youwillrequirenonefromme。Thatwillbefaironbothsides。Indeed，Ishowthegreaterconfidenceofthetwo，forIwillpayinadvancewhateveryouplease，andIamgoingtotrustmyfurniturehere。Whereas，ifyouwereinembarrassedcircumstances——thisismerelysupposititious——\'
ConsciencecausingR。Wilfertocolour，MrsWilfer，fromacorner(shealwaysgotintostatelycorners)cametotherescuewithadeep-toned\'Per-fectly。\'
\'——WhythenI——mightloseit。\'
\'Well！\'observedR。Wilfer，cheerfully，\'moneyandgoodsarecertainlythebestofreferences。\'
\'DoyouthinktheyAREthebest，pa?\'askedMissBella，inalowvoice，andwithoutlookingoverhershoulderasshewarmedherfootonthefender。
\'Amongthebest，mydear。\'
\'Ishouldhavethought，myself，itwassoeasytoaddtheusualkindofone，\'saidBella，withatossofhercurls。
Thegentlemanlistenedtoher，withafaceofmarkedattention，thoughheneitherlookedupnorchangedhisattitude。Hesat，stillandsilent，untilhisfuturelandlordacceptedhisproposals，andbroughtwritingmaterialstocompletethebusiness。Hesat，stillandsilent，whilethelandlordwrote。
Whentheagreementwasreadyinduplicate(thelandlordhavingworkedatitlikesomecherubicscribe，inwhatisconventionallycalledadoubtful，whichmeansanotatalldoubtful，OldMaster)，itwassignedbythecontractingparties，Bellalookingonasscornfulwitness。ThecontractingpartieswereR。Wilfer，andJohnRokesmithEsquire。
WhenitcametoBella\'sturntosignhername，MrRokesmith，whowasstanding，ashehadsat，withahesitatinghanduponthetable，lookedatherstealthily，butnarrowly。Helookedattheprettyfigurebendingdownoverthepaperandsaying，\'WhereamItogo，pa?Here，inthiscorner?\'Helookedatthebeautifulbrownhair，shadingthecoquettishface；helookedatthefreedashofthesignature，whichwasaboldoneforawoman\'s；andthentheylookedatoneanother。
\'Muchobligedtoyou，MissWilfer。\'
\'Obliged?\'
\'Ihavegivenyousomuchtrouble。\'
\'Signingmyname?Yes，certainly。ButIamyourlandlord\'sdaughter，sir。\'
Astherewasnothingmoretodobutpayeightsovereignsinearnestofthebargain，pockettheagreement，appointatimeforthearrivalofhisfurnitureandhimself，andgo，MrRokesmithdidthatasawkwardlyasitmightbedone，andwasescortedbyhislandlordtotheouterair。WhenR。Wilferreturned，candlestickinhand，tothebosomofhisfamily，hefoundthebosomagitated。
\'Pa，\'saidBella，\'wehavegotaMurdererforatenant。\'
\'Pa，\'saidLavinia，\'wehavegotaRobber。\'
\'Toseehimunableforhislifetolookanybodyintheface！\'saidBella。\'Thereneverwassuchanexhibition。\'
\'Mydears，\'saidtheirfather，\'heisadiffidentgentleman，andI
shouldsayparticularlysointhesocietyofgirlsofyourage。\'
\'Nonsense，ourage！\'criedBella，impatiently。\'What\'sthatgottodowithhim?\'
\'Besides，wearenotofthesameage:——whichage?\'demandedLavinia。
\'NeverYOUmind，Lavvy，\'retortedBella；\'youwaittillyouareofanagetoasksuchquestions。Pa，markmywords！BetweenMrRokesmithandme，thereisanaturalantipathyandadeepdistrust；
andsomethingwillcomeofit！\'
\'Mydear，andgirls，\'saidthecherub-patriarch，\'betweenMrRokesmithandme，thereisamatterofeightsovereigns，andsomethingforsuppershallcomeofit，ifyou\'llagreeuponthearticle。\'
Thiswasaneatandhappyturntogivethesubject，treatsbeingrareintheWilferhousehold，whereamonotonousappearanceofDutch-cheeseatteno\'clockintheeveninghadbeenratherfrequentlycommentedonbythedimpledshouldersofMissBella。
Indeed，themodestDutchmanhimselfseemedconsciousofhiswantofvariety，andgenerallycamebeforethefamilyinastateofapologeticperspiration。Aftersomediscussionontherelativemeritsofveal-cutlet，sweetbread，andlobster，adecisionwaspronouncedinfavourofveal-cutlet。MrsWilferthensolemnlydivestedherselfofherhandkerchiefandgloves，asapreliminarysacrificetopreparingthefrying-pan，andR。W。himselfwentouttopurchasetheviand。Hesoonreturned，bearingthesameinafreshcabbage-leaf，whereitcoylyembracedarasherofham。Melodioussoundswerenotlonginrisingfromthefrying-panonthefire，orinseeming，asthefirelightdancedinthemellowhallsofacoupleoffullbottlesonthetable，toplayappropriatedance-music。
TheclothwaslaidbyLavvy。Bella，astheacknowledgedornamentofthefamily，employedbothherhandsingivingherhairanadditionalwavewhilesittingintheeasiestchair，andoccasionallythrewinadirectiontouchingthesupper:as，\'Verybrown，ma；\'or，tohersister，\'Putthesaltcellarstraight，miss，anddon\'tbeadowdylittlepuss。\'
Meantimeherfather，chinkingMrRokesmith\'sgoldashesatexpectantbetweenhisknifeandfork，remarkedthatsixofthosesovereignscamejustintimefortheirlandlord，andstoodtheminalittlepileonthewhitetableclothtolookat。
\'Ihateourlandlord！\'saidBella。
But，observingafallinherfather\'sface，shewentandsatdownbyhimatthetable，andbegantouchinguphishairwiththehandleofafork。Itwasoneofthegirl\'sspoiltwaystobealwaysarrangingthefamily\'shair——perhapsbecauseherownwassopretty，andoccupiedsomuchofherattention。
\'Youdeservetohaveahouseofyourown；don\'tyou，poorpa?\'
\'Idon\'tdeserveitbetterthananother，mydear。\'
\'AtanyrateI，forone，wantitmorethananother，\'saidBella，holdinghimbythechin，asshestuckhisflaxenhaironend，\'andI
grudgethismoneygoingtotheMonsterthatswallowsupsomuch，whenweallwant——Everything。Andifyousay(asyouwanttosay；
Iknowyouwanttosayso，pa)“that\'sneitherreasonablenorhonest，Bella，“thenIanswer，“Maybenot，pa——verylikely——butit\'soneoftheconsequencesofbeingpoor，andofthoroughlyhatinganddetestingtobepoor，andthat\'smycase。”Now，youlooklovely，pa；whydon\'tyoualwayswearyourhairlikethat?Andhere\'sthecutlet！Ifitisn\'tverybrown，ma，Ican\'teatit，andmusthaveabitputbacktobedoneexpressly。\'
However，asitwasbrown，eventoBella\'staste，theyoungladygraciouslypartookofitwithoutreconsignmenttothefrying-pan，andalso，induecourse，ofthecontentsofthetwobottles:whereofoneheldScotchaleandtheotherrum。Thelatterperfume，withthefosteringaidofboilingwaterandlemon-peel，diffuseditselfthroughouttheroom，andbecamesohighlyconcentratedaroundthewarmfireside，thatthewindpassingoverthehouseroofmusthaverushedoffchargedwithadeliciouswhiffofit，afterbuzzinglikeagreatbeeatthatparticularchimneypot。
\'Pa，\'saidBella，sippingthefragrantmixtureandwarmingherfavouriteankle；\'whenoldMrHarmonmadesuchafoolofme(nottomentionhimself，asheisdead)，whatdoyousupposehediditfor?\'
\'Impossibletosay，mydear。AsIhavetoldyoutimeoutofnumbersincehiswillwasbroughttolight，IdoubtifIeverexchangedahundredwordswiththeoldgentleman。Ifitwashiswhimtosurpriseus，hiswhimsucceeded。Forhecertainlydidit。\'
\'AndIwasstampingmyfootandscreaming，whenhefirsttooknoticeofme；wasI?\'saidBella，contemplatingtheanklebeforementioned。
\'Youwerestampingyourlittlefoot，mydear，andscreamingwithyourlittlevoice，andlayingintomewithyourlittlebonnet，whichyouhadsnatchedoffforthepurpose，\'returnedherfather，asiftheremembrancegavearelishtotherum；\'youweredoingthisoneSundaymorningwhenItookyouout，becauseIdidn\'tgotheexactwayyouwanted，whentheoldgentleman，sittingonaseatnear，said，“That\'sanicegirl；that\'saVERYnicegirl；apromisinggirl！“
Andsoyouwere，mydear。\'
\'Andthenheaskedmyname，didhe，pa?\'
\'Thenheaskedyourname，mydear，andmine；andonotherSundaymornings，whenwewalkedhisway，wesawhimagain，and——andreallythat\'sall。\'
Asthatwasalltherumandwatertoo，or，inotherwords，asR。W。
delicatelysignifiedthathisglasswasempty，bythrowingbackhisheadandstandingtheglassupsidedownonhisnoseandupperlip，itmighthavebeencharitableinMrsWilfertosuggestreplenishment。Butthatheroinebrieflysuggesting\'Bedtime\'
instead，thebottleswereputaway，andthefamilyretired；shecherubicallyescorted，likesomeseveresaintinapainting，ormerelyhumanmatronallegoricallytreated。
\'Andbythistimeto-morrow，\'saidLaviniawhenthetwogirlswerealoneintheirroom，\'weshallhaveMrRokesmithhere，andshallbeexpectingtohaveourthroatscut。\'
\'Youneedn\'tstandbetweenmeandthecandleforallthat，\'retortedBella。\'Thisisanotheroftheconsequencesofbeingpoor！Theideaofagirlwithareallyfineheadofhair，havingtodoitbyoneflatcandleandafewinchesoflooking-glass！\'
\'YoucaughtGeorgeSampsonwithit，Bella，badasyourmeansofdressingitare。\'
\'Youlowlittlething。CaughtGeorgeSampsonwithit！Don\'ttalkaboutcatchingpeople，miss，tillyourowntimeforcatching——asyoucallit——comes。\'
\'Perhapsithascome，\'mutteredLavvy，withatossofherhead。
\'Whatdidyousay?\'askedBella，verysharply。\'Whatdidyousay，miss?\'
Lavvydecliningequallytorepeatortoexplain，Bellagraduallylapsedoverherhair-dressingintoasoliloquyonthemiseriesofbeingpoor，asexemplifiedinhavingnothingtoputon，nothingtogooutin，nothingtodressby，onlyanastyboxtodressatinsteadofacommodiousdressing-table，andbeingobligedtotakeinsuspiciouslodgers。Onthelastgrievanceasherclimax，shelaidgreatstress——andmighthavelaidgreater，hadsheknownthatifMrJuliusHandfordhadatwinbrotheruponearth，MrJohnRokesmithwastheman。
Chapter5
BOFFIN\'SBOWER
OveragainstaLondonhouse，acornerhousenotfarfromCavendishSquare，amanwithawoodenleghadsatforsomeyears，withhisremainingfootinabasketincoldweather，pickingupalivingonthiswise:——Everymorningateighto\'clock，hestumpedtothecorner，carryingachair，aclothes-horse，apairoftrestles，aboard，abasket，andanumbrella，allstrappedtogether。
Separatingthese，theboardandtrestlesbecameacounter，thebasketsuppliedthefewsmalllotsoffruitandsweetsthatheofferedforsaleuponitandbecameafoot-warmer，theunfoldedclothes-horsedisplayedachoicecollectionofhalfpennyballadsandbecameascreen，andthestoolplantedwithinitbecamehispostfortherestoftheday。Allweatherssawthemanatthepost。
Thisistobeacceptedinadoublesense，forhecontrivedabacktohiswoodenstool，byplacingitagainstthelamp-post。Whentheweatherwaswet，heputuphisumbrellaoverhisstockintrade，notoverhimself；whentheweatherwasdry，hefurledthatfadedarticle，tieditroundwithapieceofyarn，andlaiditcross-wiseunderthetrestles:whereitlookedlikeanunwholesomely-forcedlettucethathadlostincolourandcrispnesswhatithadgainedinsize。
Hehadestablishedhisrighttothecorner，byimperceptibleprescription。Hehadnevervariedhisgroundaninch，buthadinthebeginningdiffidentlytakenthecorneruponwhichthesideofthehousegave。Ahowlingcornerinthewintertime，adustycornerinthesummertime，anundesirablecorneratthebestoftimes。Shelterlessfragmentsofstrawandpapergotuprevolvingstormsthere，whenthemainstreetwasatpeace；andthewater-
cart，asifitweredrunkorshort-sighted，cameblunderingandjoltingroundit，makingitmuddywhenallelsewasclean。
Onthefrontofhissale-boardhungalittleplacard，likeakettle-
holder，bearingtheinscriptioninhisownsmalltext:
ErrandsgoneOnwithfiDelityByLadiesandGentlemenIremainYourhumbleServt:
SilasWeggHehadnotonlysettleditwithhimselfincourseoftime，thathewaserrand-goerbyappointmenttothehouseatthecorner(thoughhereceivedsuchcommissionsnothalfadozentimesinayear，andthenonlyassomeservant\'sdeputy)，butalsothathewasoneofthehouse\'sretainersandowedvassalagetoitandwasboundtolealandloyalinterestinit。Forthisreason，healwaysspokeofitas\'OurHouse，\'and，thoughhisknowledgeofitsaffairswasmostlyspeculativeandallwrong，claimedtobeinitsconfidence。Onsimilargroundsheneverbeheldaninmateatanyoneofitswindowsbuthetouchedhishat。Yet，heknewsolittleabouttheinmatesthathegavethemnamesofhisowninvention:as\'MissElizabeth\'，\'MasterGeorge\'，\'AuntJane\'，\'UncleParker\'——havingnoauthoritywhateverforanysuchdesignations，butparticularlythelast——towhich，asanaturalconsequence，hestuckwithgreatobstinacy。
Overthehouseitself，heexercisedthesameimaginarypowerasoveritsinhabitantsandtheiraffairs。Hehadneverbeeninit，thelengthofapieceoffatblackwater-pipewhichtraileditselfoverthearea-doorintoadampstonepassage，andhadrathertheairofaleechonthehousethathad\'taken\'wonderfully；butthiswasnoimpedimenttohisarrangingitaccordingtoaplanofhisown。Itwasagreatdingyhousewithaquantityofdimsidewindowandblankbackpremises，anditcosthismindaworldoftroublesotolayitoutastoaccountforeverythinginitsexternalappearance。
But，thisoncedone，wasquitesatisfactory，andherestedpersuaded，thatheknewhiswayaboutthehouseblindfold:fromthebarredgarretsinthehighroof，tothetwoironextinguishersbeforethemaindoor——whichseemedtorequestalllivelyvisitorstohavethekindnesstoputthemselvesout，beforeentering。
Assuredly，thisstallofSilasWegg\'swasthehardestlittlestallofallthesterilelittlestallsinLondon。Itgaveyoutheface-achetolookathisapples，thestomach-achetolookathisoranges，thetooth-achetolookathisnuts。Ofthelattercommodityhehadalwaysagrimlittleheap，onwhichlayalittlewoodenmeasurewhichhadnodiscernibleinside，andwasconsideredtorepresentthepenn\'orthappointedbyMagnaCharta。Whetherfromtoomucheastwindorno——itwasaneasterlycorner——thestall，thestock，andthekeeper，wereallasdryastheDesert。Weggwasaknottyman，andaclose-grained，withafacecarvedoutofveryhardmaterial，thathadjustasmuchplayofexpressionasawatchman\'srattle。Whenhelaughed，certainjerksoccurredinit，andtherattlesprung。Soothtosay，hewassowoodenamanthatheseemedtohavetakenhiswoodenlegnaturally，andrathersuggestedtothefancifulobserver，thathemightbeexpected——ifhisdevelopmentreceivednountimelycheck——tobecompletelysetupwithapairofwoodenlegsinaboutsixmonths。
MrWeggwasanobservantperson，or，ashehimselfsaid，\'tookapowerfulsightofnotice\'。Hesalutedallhisregularpassers-byeveryday，ashesatonhisstoolbackedupbythelamp-post；andontheadaptablecharacterofthesesaluteshegreatlyplumedhimself。Thus，totherector，headdressedabow，compoundedoflaydeference，andaslighttouchoftheshadypreliminarymeditationatchurch；tothedoctor，aconfidentialbow，astoagentlemanwhoseacquaintancewithhisinsidehebeggedrespectfullytoacknowledge；beforetheQualityhedelightedtoabasehimself；andforUncleParker，whowasinthearmy(atleast，sohehadsettledit)，heputhisopenhandtothesideofhishat，inamilitarymannerwhichthatangry-eyedbuttoned-upinflammatory-facedoldgentlemanappearedbutimperfectlytoappreciate。
TheonlyarticleinwhichSilasdealt，thatwasnothard，wasgingerbread。Onacertainday，somewretchedinfanthavingpurchasedthedampgingerbread-horse(fearfullyoutofcondition)，andtheadhesivebird-cage，whichhadbeenexposedfortheday\'ssale，hehadtakenatinboxfromunderhisstooltoproducearelayofthosedreadfulspecimens，andwasgoingtolookinatthelid，whenhesaidtohimself，pausing:\'Oh！Hereyouareagain！\'
Thewordsreferredtoabroad，round-shouldered，one-sidedoldfellowinmourning，comingcomicallyamblingtowardsthecorner，dressedinapeaover-coat，andcarryingalargestick。Heworethickshoes，andthickleathergaiters，andthickgloveslikeahedger\'s。Bothastohisdressandtohimself，hewasofanoverlappingrhinocerosbuild，withfoldsinhischeeks，andhisforehead，andhiseyelids，andhislips，andhisears；butwithbright，eager，childishly-inquiring，greyeyes，underhisraggedeyebrows，andbroad-brimmedhat。Averyodd-lookingoldfellowaltogether。
\'Hereyouareagain，\'repeatedMrWegg，musing。\'Andwhatareyounow?AreyouintheFunns，orwhereareyou?Haveyoulatelycometosettleinthisneighbourhood，ordoyouowntoanotherneighbourhood?Areyouinindependentcircumstances，orisitwastingthemotionsofabowonyou?Come！I\'llspeculate！
I\'llinvestabowinyou。\'
WhichMrWegg，havingreplacedhistinbox，accordinglydid，asherosetobaithisgingerbread-trapforsomeotherdevotedinfant。
Thesalutewasacknowledgedwith:
\'Morning，sir！Morning！Morning！\'
(\'CallsmeSir！\'saidMrWegg，tohimself；\'HEwon\'tanswer。A
bowgone！\')
\'Morning，morning，morning！\'
\'Appearstoberathera\'artyoldcock，too，\'saidMrWegg，asbefore；\'GoodmorningtoYOU，sir。\'
\'Doyourememberme，then?\'askedhisnewacquaintance，stoppinginhisamble，one-sided，beforethestall，andspeakinginapoundingway，thoughwithgreatgood-humour。
\'Ihavenoticedyougopastourhouse，sir，severaltimesinthecourseofthelastweekorso。\'
\'Ourhouse，\'repeatedtheother。\'Meaning——?\'
\'Yes，\'saidMrWegg，nodding，astheotherpointedtheclumsyforefingerofhisrightgloveatthecornerhouse。
\'Oh！Now，what，\'pursuedtheoldfellow，inaninquisitivemanner，carryinghisknottedstickinhisleftarmasifitwereababy，\'whatdotheyallowyounow?\'
\'It\'sjobworkthatIdoforourhouse，\'returnedSilas，drily，andwithreticence；\'it\'snotyetbroughttoanexactallowance。\'
\'Oh！It\'snotyetbroughttoanexactallowance?No！It\'snotyetbroughttoanexactallowance。Oh！——Morning，morning，morning！\'
\'Appearstoberatheracrackedoldcock，\'thoughtSilas，qualifyinghisformergoodopinion，astheotherambledoff。But，inamomenthewasbackagainwiththequestion:
\'Howdidyougetyourwoodenleg?\'
MrWeggreplied，(tartlytothispersonalinquiry)，\'Inanaccident。\'
\'Doyoulikeit?\'
\'Well！Ihaven\'tgottokeepitwarm，\'MrWeggmadeanswer，inasortofdesperationoccasionedbythesingularityofthequestion。
\'Hehasn\'t，\'repeatedtheothertohisknottedstick，ashegaveitahug；\'hehasn\'tgot——ha！——ha！——tokeepitwarm！DidyoueverhearofthenameofBoffin?\'
\'No，\'saidMrWegg，whowasgrowingrestiveunderthisexamination。\'IneverdidhearofthenameofBoffin。\'
\'Doyoulikeit?\'
\'Why，no，\'retortedMrWegg，againapproachingdesperation；\'I
can\'tsayIdo。\'
\'Whydon\'tyoulikeit?\'
\'Idon\'tknowwhyIdon\'t，\'retortedMrWegg，approachingfrenzy，\'butIdon\'tatall。\'
\'Now，I\'lltellyousomethingthat\'llmakeyousorryforthat，\'saidthestranger，smiling。\'Myname\'sBoffin。\'
\'Ican\'thelpit！\'returnedMrWegg。Implyinginhismannertheoffensiveaddition，\'andifIcould，Iwouldn\'t。\'
\'Butthere\'sanotherchanceforyou，\'saidMrBoffin，smilingstill，\'DoyoulikethenameofNicodemus?Thinkitover。Nick，orNoddy。\'
\'Itisnot，sir，\'MrWeggrejoined，ashesatdownonhisstool，withanairofgentleresignation，combinedwithmelancholycandour；itisnotanameasIcouldwishanyonethatIhadarespectfor，tocallMEby；buttheremaybepersonsthatwouldnotviewitwiththesameobjections——Idon\'tknowwhy，\'MrWeggadded，anticipatinganotherquestion。
\'NoddyBoffin，\'saidthatgentleman。\'Noddy。That\'smyname。
Noddy——orNick——Boffin。What\'syourname?\'
\'SilasWegg——Idon\'t，\'saidMrWegg，bestirringhimselftotakethesameprecautionasbefore，\'Idon\'tknowwhySilas，andIdon\'tknowwhyWegg。\'
\'Now，Wegg，\'saidMrBoffin，hugginghisstickcloser，\'Iwanttomakeasortofoffertoyou。Doyourememberwhenyoufirstseeme?\'
ThewoodenWegglookedathimwithameditativeeye，andalsowithasoftenedairasdescryingpossibilityofprofit。\'Letmethink。
Iain\'tquitesure，andyetIgenerallytakeapowerfulsightofnotice，too。WasitonaMondaymorning，whenthebutcher-boyhadbeentoourhousefororders，andboughtaballadofme，which，beingunacquaintedwiththetune，Irunitovertohim?\'
\'Right，Wegg，right！Butheboughtmorethanone。\'
\'Yes，tobesure，sir；heboughtseveral；andwishingtolayouthismoneytothebest，hetookmyopiniontoguidehischoice，andwewentoverthecollectiontogether。Tobesurewedid。Herewashimasitmightbe，andherewasmyselfasitmightbe，andtherewasyou，MrBoffin，asyouidenticallyare，withyourself-samestickunderyourverysamearm，andyourverysamebacktowardsus。To——be——sure！\'addedMrWegg，lookingalittleroundMrBoffin，totakehimintherear，andidentifythislastextraordinarycoincidence，\'yourweryself-sameback！\'
\'WhatdoyouthinkIwasdoing，Wegg?\'
\'Ishouldjudge，sir，thatyoumightbeglancingyoureyedownthestreet。\'
\'No，Wegg。Iwasalistening。\'
\'Wasyou，indeed?\'saidMrWegg，dubiously。
\'Notinadishonourableway，Wegg，becauseyouwassingingtothebutcher；andyouwouldn\'tsingsecretstoabutcherinthestreet，youknow。\'
\'ItneverhappenedthatIdidsoyet，tothebestofmyremembrance，\'saidMrWegg，cautiously。\'ButImightdoit。A
mancan\'tsaywhathemightwishtodosomedayoranother。\'
(This，nottoreleaseanylittleadvantagehemightderivefromMrBoffin\'savowal。)
\'Well，\'repeatedBoffin，\'Iwasalisteningtoyouandtohim。Andwhatdoyou——youhaven\'tgotanotherstool，haveyou?I\'mratherthickinmybreath。\'
\'Ihaven\'tgotanother，butyou\'rewelcometothis，\'saidWegg，resigningit。\'It\'satreattometostand。\'
\'Lard！\'exclaimedMrBoffin，inatoneofgreatenjoyment，ashesettledhimselfdown，stillnursinghissticklikeababy，\'it\'sapleasantplace，this！Andthentobeshutinoneachside，withtheseballads，likesomanybook-leafblinkers！Why，itsdelightful！\'
\'IfIamnotmistaken，sir，\'MrWeggdelicatelyhinted，restingahandonhisstall，andbendingoverthediscursiveBoffin，\'youalludedtosomeofferoranotherthatwasinyourmind?\'
\'I\'mcomingtoit！Allright。I\'mcomingtoit！IwasgoingtosaythatwhenIlistenedthatmorning，Ilistenedwithhadmirationamountingtohaw。Ithoughttomyself，“Here\'samanwithawoodenleg——aliterarymanwith——“\'
\'N——notexactlyso，sir，\'saidMrWegg。
\'Why，youknoweveryoneofthesesongsbynameandbytune，andifyouwanttoreadortosinganyoneon\'emoffstraight，you\'veonlytowhiponyourspectaclesanddoit！\'criedMrBoffin。
\'Iseeyouatit！\'
\'Well，sir，\'returnedMrWegg，withaconsciousinclinationofthehead；\'we\'llsayliterary，then。\'
\'“Aliteraryman——WITHawoodenleg——andallPrintisopentohim！“That\'swhatIthoughttomyself，thatmorning，\'pursuedMrBoffin，leaningforwardtodescribe，uncrampedbytheclotheshorse，aslargeanarcashisrightarmcouldmake；\'“allPrintisopentohim！“Anditis，ain\'tit?\'
\'Why，truly，sir，\'MrWeggadmitted，withmodesty；\'Ibelieveyoucouldn\'tshowmethepieceofEnglishprint，thatIwouldn\'tbeequaltocollaringandthrowing。\'
\'Onthespot?\'saidMrBoffin。
\'Onthespot。\'
\'Iknow\'dit！Thenconsiderthis。HereamI，amanwithoutawoodenleg，andyetallprintisshuttome。\'
\'Indeed，sir?\'MrWeggreturnedwithincreasingself-complacency。
\'Educationneglected?\'
\'Neg——lected！\'repeatedBoffin，withemphasis。\'Thatain\'tnowordforit。Idon\'tmeantosaybutwhatifyoushowedmeaB，Icouldsofargiveyouchangeforit，astoanswerBoffin。\'
\'Come，come，sir，\'saidMrWegg，throwinginalittleencouragement，\'that\'ssomething，too。\'
\'It\'ssomething，\'answeredMrBoffin，\'butI\'lltakemyoathitain\'tmuch。\'
\'Perhapsit\'snotasmuchascouldbewishedbyaninquiringmind，sir，\'MrWeggadmitted。
\'Now，lookhere。I\'mretiredfrombusiness。MeandMrsBoffin——
HeneriettyBoffin——whichherfather\'snamewasHenery，andhermother\'snamewasHetty，andsoyougetit——weliveonacompittance，underthewillofadiseasedgovernor。\'
\'Gentlemandead，sir?\'
\'Manalive，don\'tItellyou?Adiseasedgovernor?Now，it\'stoolateformetobeginshovellingandsiftingatalphabedsandgrammar-books。I\'mgettingtobeaoldbird，andIwanttotakeiteasy。ButIwantsomereading——somefineboldreading，somesplendidbookinagorgingLord-Mayor\'s-Showofwollumes\'
(probablymeaninggorgeous，butmisledbyassociationofideas)；
\'as\'llreachrightdownyourpintofview，andtaketimetogobyyou。HowcanIgetthatreading，Wegg?By，\'tappinghimonthebreastwiththeheadofhisthickstick，\'payingamantrulyqualifiedtodoit，somuchanhour(saytwopence)tocomeanddoit。\'
\'Hem！Flattered，sir，Iamsure，\'saidWegg，beginningtoregardhimselfinquiteanewlight。\'Hew！Thisistheofferyoumentioned，sir?\'
\'Yes。Doyoulikeit?\'
\'Iamconsideringofit，MrBoffin。\'
\'Idon\'t，\'saidBoffin，inafree-handedmanner，\'wanttotiealiteraryman——WITHawoodenleg——downtootight。Ahalfpennyanhourshan\'tpartus。Thehoursareyourowntochoose，afteryou\'vedoneforthedaywithyourhousehere。IliveoverMaiden-Laneway——
outHollowaydirection——andyou\'veonlygottogoEast-and-by-
Northwhenyou\'vefinishedhere，andyou\'rethere。Twopencehalfpennyanhour，\'saidBoffin，takingapieceofchalkfromhispocketandgettingoffthestooltoworkthesumonthetopofitinhisownway；\'twolong\'unsandashort\'un——twopencehalfpenny；
twoshort\'unsisalong\'unandtwotwolong\'unsisfourlong\'uns——
makingfivelong\'uns；sixnightsaweekatfivelong\'unsanight，\'
scoringthemalldownseparately，\'andyoumountuptothirtylong\'uns。Around\'un！Halfacrown！\'
Pointingtothisresultasalargeandsatisfactoryone，MrBoffinsmeareditoutwithhismoistenedglove，andsatdownontheremains。
\'Halfacrown，\'saidWegg，meditating。\'Yes。(Itain\'tmuch，sir。)
Halfacrown。\'
\'Perweek，youknow。\'
\'Perweek。Yes。Astotheamountofstrainupontheintellectnow。
Wasyouthinkingatallofpoetry?\'MrWegginquired，musing。
\'Woulditcomedearer?\'MrBoffinasked。
\'Itwouldcomedearer，\'MrWeggreturned。\'Forwhenapersoncomestogrindoffpoetrynightafternight，itisbutrightheshouldexpecttobepaidforitsweakeningeffectonhismind。\'
\'TotellyouthetruthWegg，\'saidBoffin，\'Iwasn\'tthinkingofpoetry，exceptinsofurasthis:——IfyouwastohappennowandthentofeelyourselfinthemindtotipmeandMrsBoffinoneofyourballads，whythenweshoulddropintopoetry。\'
\'Ifollowyou，sir，\'saidWegg。\'Butnotbeingaregularmusicalprofessional，Ishouldbeloathtoengagemyselfforthat；andthereforewhenIdroppedintopoetry，Ishouldasktobeconsideredsofur，inthelightofafriend。\'
Atthis，MrBoffin\'seyessparkled，andheshookSilasearnestlybythehand:protestingthatitwasmorethanhecouldhaveasked，andthathetookitverykindlyindeed。
\'Whatdoyouthinkoftheterms，Wegg?\'MrBoffinthendemanded，withunconcealedanxiety。
Silas，whohadstimulatedthisanxietybyhishardreserveofmanner，andwhohadbeguntounderstandhismanverywell，repliedwithanair；asifheweresayingsomethingextraordinarilygenerousandgreat:
\'MrBoffin，Ineverbargain。\'
\'SoIshouldhavethoughtofyou！\'saidMrBoffin，admiringly。\'No，sir。Ineverdid\'aggleandIneverwill\'aggle。ConsequentlyImeetyouatonce，freeandfair，with——Done，fordoublethemoney！\'
MrBoffinseemedalittleunpreparedforthisconclusion，butassented，withtheremark，\'YouknowbetterwhatitoughttobethanIdo，Wegg，\'andagainshookhandswithhimuponit。
\'Couldyoubegintonight，Wegg?\'hethendemanded。
\'Yes，sir，\'saidMrWegg，carefultoleavealltheeagernesstohim。
\'Iseenodifficultyifyouwishit。Youareprovidedwiththeneedfulimplement——abook，sir?\'
\'Boughthimatasale，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Eightwollumes。Redandgold。Purpleribbonineverywollume，tokeeptheplacewhereyouleaveoff。Doyouknowhim?\'
\'Thebook\'sname，sir?\'inquiredSilas。
\'Ithoughtyoumighthaveknow\'dhimwithoutit，\'saidMrBoffinslightlydisappointed。\'HisnameisDecline-And-Fall-Off-The-
Rooshan-Empire。\'(MrBoffinwentoverthesestonesslowlyandwithmuchcaution。)
\'Ayindeed！\'saidMrWegg，noddinghisheadwithanairoffriendlyrecognition。
\'Youknowhim，Wegg?\'
\'Ihaven\'tbeennottosayrightslapthroughhim，verylately，\'MrWeggmadeanswer，\'havingbeenotherwaysemployed，MrBoffin。
Butknowhim?OldfamiliardecliningandfallingofftheRooshan?Rather，sir！EversinceIwasnotsohighasyourstick。
Eversincemyeldestbrotherleftourcottagetoenlistintothearmy。
Onwhichoccasion，astheballadthatwasmadeaboutitdescribes:
\'Besidethatcottagedoor，MrBoffin，Agirlwasonherknees；
Sheheldaloftasnowyscarf，Sir，Which(myeldestbrothernoticed)flutteredinthebreeze。
Shebreathedaprayerforhim，MrBoffin；
Aprayerhecooldnothear。
Andmyeldestbrotherlean\'duponhissword，MrBoffin，Andwipedawayatear。\'
Muchimpressedbythisfamilycircumstance，andalsobythefriendlydispositionofMrWegg，asexemplifiedinhissosoondroppingintopoetry，MrBoffinagainshookhandswiththatligneoussharper，andbesoughthimtonamehishour。MrWeggnamedeight。
\'WhereIlive，\'saidMrBoffin，\'iscalledTheBower。Boffin\'sBoweristhenameMrsBoffinchristeneditwhenwecomeintoitasaproperty。Ifyoushouldmeetwithanybodythatdon\'tknowitbythatname(whichhardlyanybodydoes)，whenyou\'vegotnighuponaboutaoddmile，orsayandaquarterifyoulike，upMaidenLane，BattleBridge，askforHarmonyJail，andyou\'llbeputright。
Ishallexpectyou，Wegg，\'saidMrBoffin，clappinghimontheshoulderwiththegreatestenthusiasm，\'mostjoyfully。Ishallhavenopeaceorpatiencetillyoucome。Printisnowopeningaheadofme。Thisnight，aliteraryman——WITHawoodenleg——\'hebestowedanadmiringlookuponthatdecoration，asifitgreatlyenhancedtherelishofMrWegg\'sattainments——\'willbegintoleadmeanewlife！Myfistagain，Wegg。Morning，morning，morning！\'
Leftaloneathisstallastheotherambledoff，MrWeggsubsidedintohisscreen，producedasmallpocket-handkerchiefofapenitentially-scrubbingcharacter，andtookhimselfbythenosewithathoughtfulaspect。Also，whilehestillgraspedthatfeature，hedirectedseveralthoughtfullooksdownthestreet，aftertheretiringfigureofMrBoffin。But，profoundgravitysatenthronedonWegg\'scountenance。For，whileheconsideredwithinhimselfthatthiswasanoldfellowofraresimplicity，thatthiswasanopportunitytobeimproved，andthatheremighthemoneytobegotbeyondpresentcalculation，stillhecompromisedhimselfbynoadmissionthathisnewengagementwasatalloutofhisway，orinvolvedtheleastelementoftheridiculous。MrWeggwouldevenhavepickedahandsomequarrelwithanyonewhoshouldhavechallengedhisdeepacquaintancewiththoseaforesaideightvolumesofDeclineandFall。Hisgravitywasunusual，portentous，andimmeasurable，notbecauseheadmittedanydoubtofhimselfbutbecauseheperceiveditnecessarytoforestallanydoubtofhimselfinothers。Andhereinherangedwiththatverynumerousclassofimpostors，whoarequiteasdeterminedtokeepupappearancestothemselves，astotheirneighbours。
Acertainloftiness，likewise，tookpossessionofMrWegg；acondescendingsenseofbeinginrequestasanofficialexpounderofmysteries。Itdidnotmovehimtocommercialgreatness，butrathertolittleness，insomuchthatifithadbeenwithinthepossibilitiesofthingsforthewoodenmeasuretoholdfewernutsthanusual，itwouldhavedonesothatday。But，whennightcame，andwithherveiledeyesbeheldhimstumpingtowardsBoffin\'sBower，hewaselatedtoo。
TheBowerwasasdifficulttofind，asFairRosamond\'swithouttheclue。MrWegg，havingreachedthequarterindicated，inquiredfortheBowerhalfadozentimeswithouttheleastsuccess，untilherememberedtoaskforHarmonyJail。Thisoccasionedaquickchangeinthespiritsofahoarsegentlemanandadonkey，whomhehadmuchperplexed。
\'Why，yermeanOldHarmon\'s，doyer?\'saidthehoarsegentleman，whowasdrivinghisdonkeyinatruck，withacarrotforawhip。
\'Whydidn\'tyerniversayso?Eddardandmeisagoin\'byHIM！
Jumpin。\'
MrWeggcomplied，andthehoarsegentlemaninvitedhisattentiontothethirdpersonincompany，thus；
\'Now，youlookatEddard\'sears。Whatwasitasyounamed，agin?
Whisper。\'
MrWeggwhispered，\'Boffin\'sBower。\'
\'Eddard！(keepyerhionhisears)cutawaytoBoffin\'sBower！\'
Edward，withhisearslyingback，remainedimmoveable。
\'Eddard！(keepyerhionhisears)cutawaytoOldHarmon\'s。\'
Edwardinstantlyprickeduphisearstotheirutmost，andrattledoffatsuchapacethatMrWegg\'sconversationwasjoltedoutofhiminamostdislocatedstate。
\'Was-it-Ev-verajail?\'askedMrWegg，holdingon。
\'Notaproperjail，wotyouandmewouldgetcommittedto，\'
returnedhisescort；\'theygiv\'itthename，onaccountsofOldHarmonlivingsolitarythere。\'
\'And-why-did-they-callitharm-Ony?\'askedWegg。
\'Onaccountsofhisneveragreeingwithnobody。Likeaspeechesofchaff。Harmon\'sJail；HarmonyJail。Workingitroundlike。\'
\'Doyouknow-Mist-Erboff-in?\'askedWegg。
\'Ishouldthinkso！Everybodydoabouthere。Eddardknowshim。
(Keepyerhionhisears。)NoddyBoffin，Eddard！\'
Theeffectofthenamewassoveryalarming，inrespectofcausingatemporarydisappearanceofEdward\'shead，castinghishindhoofsintheair，greatlyacceleratingthepaceandincreasingthejolting，thatMrWeggwasfaintodevotehisattentionexclusivelytoholdingon，andtorelinquishhisdesireofascertainingwhetherthishomagetoBoffinwastobeconsideredcomplimentaryorthereverse。
Presently，Edwardstoppedatagateway，andWeggdiscreetlylostnotimeinslippingoutatthebackofthetruck。Themomenthewaslanded，hislatedriverwithawaveofthecarrot，said\'Supper，Eddard！\'andhe，thehindhoofs，thetruck，andEdward，allseemedtoflyintotheairtogether，inakindofapotheosis。
Pushingthegate，whichstoodajar，Wegglookedintoanenclosedspacewherecertaintalldarkmoundsrosehighagainstthesky，andwherethepathwaytotheBowerwasindicated，asthemoonlightshowed，betweentwolinesofbrokencrockerysetinashes。Awhitefigureadvancingalongthispath，provedtobenothingmoreghostlythanMrBoffin，easilyattiredforthepursuitofknowledge，inanundressgarmentofshortwhitesmock-frock。
Havingreceivedhisliteraryfriendwithgreatcordiality，heconductedhimtotheinterioroftheBowerandtherepresentedhimtoMrsBoffin:——astoutladyofarubicundandcheerfulaspect，dressed(toMrWegg\'sconsternation)inalowevening-dressofsablesatin，andalargeblackvelvethatandfeathers。
\'MrsBoffin，Wegg，\'saidBoffin，\'isahighflyeratFashion。Andhermakeissuch，thatshedoesitcredit。AstomyselfIain\'tyetasFash\'nableasImaycometobe。Henerietty，oldlady，thisisthegentlemanthat\'sagoingtodeclineandfallofftheRooshanEmpire。\'
\'AndIamsureIhopeit\'lldoyoubothgood，\'saidMrsBoffin。
Itwasthequeerestofrooms，fittedandfurnishedmorelikealuxuriousamateurtap-roomthananythingelsewithinthekenofSilasWegg。Thereweretwowoodensettlesbythefire，oneoneithersideofit，withacorrespondingtablebeforeeach。Ononeofthesetables，theeightvolumeswererangedflat，inarow，likeagalvanicbattery；ontheother，certainsquatcase-bottlesofinvitingappearanceseemedtostandontiptoetoexchangeglanceswithMrWeggoverafrontrowoftumblersandabasinofwhitesugar。Onthehob，akettlesteamed；onthehearth，acatreposed。Facingthefirebetweenthesettles，asofa，afootstool，andalittletable，formedacentrepiecedevotedtoMrsBoffin。Theyweregarishintasteandcolour，butwereexpensivearticlesofdrawing-roomfurniturethathadaveryoddlookbesidethesettlesandtheflaringgaslightpendentfromtheceiling。Therewasaflowerycarpetonthefloor；but，insteadofreachingtothefireside，itsglowingvegetationstoppedshortatMrsBoffin\'sfootstool，andgaveplacetoaregionofsandandsawdust。MrWeggalsonoticed，withadmiringeyes，that，whiletheflowerylanddisplayedsuchhollowornamentationasstuffedbirdsandwaxenfruitsunderglass-
shades，therewere，intheterritorywherevegetationceased，compensatoryshelvesonwhichthebestpartofalargepieandlikewiseofacoldjointwereplainlydiscernibleamongothersolids。Theroomitselfwaslarge，thoughlow；andtheheavyframesofitsold-fashionedwindows，andtheheavybeamsinitscrookedceiling，seemedtoindicatethatithadoncebeenahouseofsomemarkstandingaloneinthecountry。
\'Doyoulikeit，Wegg?\'askedMrBoffin，inhispouncingmanner。
\'Iadmireitgreatly，sir，\'saidWegg。\'Peculiarcomfortatthisfireside，sir。\'
\'Doyouunderstandit，Wegg?\'
\'Why，inageneralway，sir，\'MrWeggwasbeginningslowlyandknowingly，withhisheadstuckononeside，asevasivepeopledobegin，whentheothercuthimshort:
\'YouDON\'Tunderstandit，Wegg，andI\'llexplainit。ThesearrangementsismadebymutualconsentbetweenMrsBoffinandme。MrsBoffin，asI\'vementioned，isahighflyeratFashion；atpresentI\'mnot。Idon\'tgohigherthancomfort，andcomfortofthesortthatI\'mequaltotheenjoymentof。Wellthen。WherewouldbethegoodofMrsBoffinandmequarrellingoverit?Weneverdidquarrel，beforewecomeintoBoffin\'sBowerasaproperty；whyquarrelwhenweHAVEcomeintoBoffin\'sBowerasaproperty?
SoMrsBoffin，shekeepsupherpartoftheroom，inherway；I
keepupmypartoftheroominmine。Inconsequenceofwhichwehaveatonce，Sociability(IshouldgomelancholymadwithoutMrsBoffin)，Fashion，andComfort。IfIgetbydegreestobeahigher-
flyeratFashion，thenMrsBoffinwillbydegreescomefor\'arder。IfMrsBoffinshouldeverbelessofadabatFashionthansheisatthepresenttime，thenMrsBoffin\'scarpetwouldgoback\'arder。Ifweshouldbothcontinnyasweare，whythenHEREweare，andgiveusakiss，oldlady。\'
MrsBoffinwho，perpetuallysmiling，hadapproachedanddrawnherplumparmthroughherlord\'s，mostwillinglycomplied。
Fashion，intheformofherblackvelvethatandfeathers，triedtopreventit；butgotdeservedlycrushedintheendeavour。
\'Sonow，Wegg，\'saidMrBoffin，wipinghismouthwithanairofmuchrefreshment，\'youbegintoknowusasweare。Thisisacharmingspot，istheBower，butyoumustgettoapprechiateitbydegrees。It\'saspottofindoutthemeritsof；littlebylittle，andanew\'uneveryday。There\'saserpentiningwalkupeachofthemounds，thatgivesyoutheyardandneighbourhoodchangingeverymoment。Whenyougettothetop，there\'saviewoftheneighbouringpremises，nottobesurpassed。ThepremisesofMrsBoffin\'slatefather(CanineProvisionTrade)，youlookdowninto，asiftheywasyourown。AndthetopoftheHighMoundiscrownedwithalattice-workArbour，inwhich，ifyoudon\'treadoutloudmanyabookinthesummer，ay，andasafriend，dropmanyatimeintopoetrytoo，itshan\'tbemyfault。Now，what\'llyoureadon?\'
\'Thankyou，sir，\'returnedWegg，asiftherewerenothingnewinhisreadingatall。\'Igenerallydoitonginandwater。\'
\'Keepstheorganmoist，doesit，Wegg?\'askedMrBoffin，withinnocenteagerness。
\'N-no，sir，\'repliedWegg，coolly，\'Ishouldhardlydescribeitso，sir。
Ishouldsay，mellersit。Mellersit，isthewordIshouldemploy，MrBoffin。\'
Hiswoodenconceitandcraftkeptexactpacewiththedelightedexpectationofhisvictim。Thevisionsrisingbeforehismercenarymind，ofthemanywaysinwhichthisconnexionwastobeturnedtoaccount，neverobscuredtheforemostideanaturaltoadulloverreachingman，thathemustnotmakehimselftoocheap。
MrsBoffin\'sFashion，asalessinexorabledeitythantheidolusuallyworshippedunderthatname，didnotforbidhermixingforherliteraryguest，oraskingifhefoundtheresulttohisliking。Onhisreturningagraciousanswerandtakinghisplaceattheliterarysettle，MrBoffinbegantocomposehimselfasalistener，attheoppositesettle，withexultanteyes。
\'Sorrytodepriveyouofapipe，Wegg，\'hesaid，fillinghisown，\'butyoucan\'tdobothtogether。Oh！andanotherthingIforgottoname！
Whenyoucomeinhereofanevening，andlookroundyou，andnoticeanythingonashelfthathappenstocatchyourfancy，mentionit。\'
Wegg，whohadbeengoingtoputonhisspectacles，immediatelylaidthemdown，withthesprightlyobservation:
\'Youreadmythoughts，sir。DOmyeyesdeceiveme，oristhatobjectuptherea——apie?Itcan\'tbeapie。\'
\'Yes，it\'sapie，Wegg，\'repliedMrBoffin，withaglanceofsomelittlediscomfitureattheDeclineandFall。
\'HAVEIlostmysmellforfruits，orisitaapplepie，sir?\'askedWegg。
\'It\'savealandhampie，\'saidMrBoffin。
\'Isitindeed，sir?Anditwouldbehard，sir，tonamethepiethatisabetterpiethanawealandhammer，\'saidMrWegg，noddinghisheademotionally。
\'Havesome，Wegg?\'
\'Thankyou，MrBoffin，IthinkIwill，atyourinvitation。Iwouldn\'tatanyotherparty\'s，atthepresentjuncture；butatyours，sir！——Andmeatyjellytoo，especiallywhenalittlesalt，whichisthecasewherethere\'sham，ismelleringtotheorgan，isverymelleringtotheorgan。\'MrWeggdidnotsaywhatorgan，butspokewithacheerfulgenerality。
So，thepiewasbroughtdown，andtheworthyMrBoffinexercisedhispatienceuntilWegg，intheexerciseofhisknifeandfork，hadfinishedthedish:onlyprofitingbytheopportunitytoinformWeggthatalthoughitwasnotstrictlyFashionabletokeepthecontentsofalarderthusexposedtoview，he(MrBoffin)consideredithospitable；forthereason，thatinsteadofsaying，inacomparativelyunmeaningmanner，toavisitor，\'Therearesuchandsuchediblesdownstairs；willyouhaveanythingup?\'youtooktheboldpracticalcourseofsaying，\'Castyoureyealongtheshelves，and，ifyouseeanythingyoulikethere，haveitdown。\'
Andnow，MrWeggatlengthpushedawayhisplateandputonhisspectacles，andMrBoffinlightedhispipeandlookedwithbeamingeyesintotheopeningworldbeforehim，andMrsBoffinreclinedinafashionablemanneronhersofa:asonewhowouldbepartoftheaudienceifshefoundshecould，andwouldgotosleepifshefoundshecouldn\'t。
\'Hem！\'beganWegg，\'This，MrBoffinandLady，isthefirstchapterofthefirstwollumeoftheDeclineandFalloff——\'herehelookedhardatthebook，andstopped。
\'What\'sthematter，Wegg?\'
\'Why，itcomesintomymind，doyouknow，sir，\'saidWeggwithanairofinsinuatingfrankness(havingfirstagainlookedhardatthebook)，\'thatyoumadealittlemistakethismorning，whichIhadmeanttosetyourightin，onlysomethingputitoutofmyhead。I
thinkyousaidRooshanEmpire，sir?\'
\'ItisRooshan；ain\'tit，Wegg?\'
\'No，sir。Roman。Roman。\'
\'What\'sthedifference，Wegg?\'
\'Thedifference，sir?\'MrWeggwasfalteringandindangerofbreakingdown，whenabrightthoughtflasheduponhim。\'Thedifference，sir?Thereyouplacemeinadifficulty，MrBoffin。
