Our Mutual Friend

rotted out, nursing his big stick in both arms, so that, as of old, it seemed to be whispering in his ear. He carried so very attentiv

ommunication, and, in trotting along, he occasionally glanced at that compani

ays where they would be likely to fall in with any one coming, at about the same time

d, to Venus's appointment,'

its pocket, was to be descried coming towards him. He quickened his pace on

d Mr Boffin. 'Thank'ee

thanked the anatomist, but for his furnishi

to keep up the appearance before Wegg of remaining in it for a time, I have got a

d with a modest air, and they pu

wn upon me to-night, Venus?' inquired M

k he is

icular reason for

r stock-in-trade being correct, and he has mentioned his intention that he was not to be put off beginning with you t

he'll turn to at the grindsto

so,

that feature. 'He's a terrible fellow, Venus; he's an awful fellow. I don't know how ever I shall go through with

pursued the way in silence until they rang at the Bower gate. The stumping approach of Wegg was

e remarked. 'You're

n otherwise oc

eman, with a threatening sneer. 'Hah! I've been loo

't say s

ound to me tonight, dash my wig if I wouldn't ha

rong, I ho

nswer. 'Nothing wrong! What should be

to the Bower I'

be roses all s

will you, will you

t you, won't you, w

we

with this vocal quotation. Mr Boffin's air was crestfallen and submissive. Whispered Wegg to Venus, as they crossed the yard behind him: 'Look

houlders raised and his hat drooping back upon them, looking disconsolately at Wegg. 'My friend and partner, Mr Venus, gives me to understand,' re

opped on the floor behind him, and remained in his f

offin, for short,' said Wegg. 'If you do

it, Wegg,' Mr

, Boffin. Now, do you

arly care about i

unexpectedly answered: 'you wouldn't be. I've been your slave long enough. I'm not to be trampled under-foo

gg,' returned Mr Boffin, with fol

he ground before coming to business), you've placed in t

is head when I sent hi

g, 'I warn you not to

e, Mr Venus, had himself supposed the menial to have contracted an affliction or a habit of the nose, involving a serious drawback on

s here. Now, I won't have him here. So I call upon Boffin, before I say

within view of the window. Mr Boffin, after a short interval of imp

head on one side, like a bullying counsel pausing for an answe

Mr Boffin said to him: 'Sloppy, my fine fellow, Mr Wegg is Ma

r Wegg severe

,' said M

th wide open; but was without loss of time escorted forth by Silas

tle reddened by his late exertion, 'is now freer for the purposes of

kets, sat on the edge of the settle, shrunk into a small

milk and watery with you than I'll be. But he hasn't borne the Roman yoke as I have, nor

gg-' Mr Boffin was beginni

ind you've got quite enough to do. Now, you're aware-are you-that you're in p

Boffin, glancing towards him

rifle with me, and instead of making a bargain with you, I'll put on my hat and take up my w

d appeal, with his hands on his knees, 'that I am sure

ly have, sir

roving shake of his wooden head. 'Then at once you confess yourself desirous to come to terms,

, Wegg, to co

to come to terms? Do you ask to be allowed as a favour to come to

es

Wegg: 'I won't take yes. I'll ha

am so worrited! I ask to be allowed to come to

Mr Venus will show it you, and I'll hold you the while. Then you want to know what the terms are. Is th

am worrited to that degree that I'm almost off my head

rms. You'll throw your Mound (the little Mound as comes to you any way) into the general estate, and

fin's face lengthened itself, Mr Venus not ha

ou've been a squandering this property-laying some of it out on yours

, Wegg!' Mr Boffin

nd in 'em, I'll take care of such waluables. You'll produce your contract for the sale of the Mounds, that we may know to a penny what they're worth, and y

l die in a workhouse!' cried the Gold

ut this yard. You've been seen in the act of ferreting about this yard. Two pair of ey

rotested Mr Boffin. 'I

it, Boffin?'

, not jewels, nothing that you could

an ewasive answer on the part of our dusty friend here, I have hit out a little idea which I t

drew a d

is an under-handed sneak, named Rokesmith. It won't answer to have hi

, speaking in a muffled voice, with his hands bef

egg, surprised. 'Oh! Then, Boffin, I be

lf to the thought of his new position. But, his taking time was exactly the thing of all others that Silas Wegg could not be induced to hear of. 'Yes or no, and no half measures!' was

alk, as not knowing what he might fraudulently unearth if he were left to himself. A more absurd sight than Mr Boffin in his mental irritation trotting very nimbly, and Mr Wegg hopping after him with great exertion, eager to watch the sligh

ds deep in his pockets, as if his pockets had sunk. 'What's the good of my pretending to stand ou

upon the back of his head, and walked him out by the arm, asserting a proprietorship over his soul and body that was at once more grim and more ridiculous than anything in Mr Venus's rare collection. That light-haired gentleman followed close upon their heels, at least backing up

ess thither. Mr Wegg, especially, was in a flaming glow, and stood in the little shop, p

light for the public delectation, put the shutters up. When all was snug, and the shop-door f

e. Will you obligingly shove that box-which you mentioned on a former occa

did as he

out: 've-ry good. Will you hand me

ded him t

g, 'mount up here and t

be electrified, or to be made a Freemason, or to be placed at any

d body, and pins him tight to the back of the chair, you may show him what he wants to see. If you'

d the document, and Mr Boffin slowly spelt it out aloud: so very slowly, that Wegg, who was holding him in the chair with the grip of a wrestler, became agai

hat of a very persevering man unsuccessfully attempting to stand upon his head, took a seat to reco

s soon as he was in a condit

Mr Boffin, meekl

doubts abou

g. None,' was the

s auspicious occasion, you should happen to have a drop of anything not quite so mild as t

inquiry, 'Will you mix it, Mr Wegg?' that gentleman pleasantly rejoined, 'I think not

venient position to be addressed. Wegg having eyed him with an impudent air

f-f

, coming out of a fit of

etail that comes of course. You must be followed

understand,'

usiness completed, you're accountable for all the property, recollect. Consider yourself

, in a tone of despondency, 'that I mu

inquired Wegg, helping himself to a third Gu

then think all her life, poor thing, that I had go

ink upon him, 'that you've found out some account of some old chap, supposed to be a Miser

ed to him: 'don't you see? My old lady has got so us

ered Wegg. 'You'll have as muc

ently represented; 'my old lad

egg, 'to set herself up for havin

y other of the negotiations. But he commanded himself, and said

e you under close inspection without that. I'm as good a man as you, and better. Ask me to dinner. Give me the run of your 'ouse. I was good enough for you and

egg, gently,'

le thickness of speech, in consequence of the Gum-Ticklers having

line the

ects as thi

Boffin to

I'll see

ter taking friendly leave of Mr Venus. Once more, Inspector and Inspect

elf in with his key, and had softly closed the door, even there and then, the al

called throu

the reply through

k at you!' Mr Boffin-ah, how fallen from the high esta

t to bed now,' sai

, when he again called thr

, We

ng an imaginary grindstone outside the keyhole, while Mr Boffin