“I beg your pardon, Mr. Traddles,” said Mr. Micawber, with the old roll in his voice, as he checked himself in humming a soft tune. “I was not aware that there was any individual, alien to this tenement, in your sanctum.”

Mr. Micawber slightly bowed to me, and pulled up his shirt-collar.

“How do you do, Mr. Micawber?” said I.

“Sir,” said Mr. Micawber, “you are exceedingly obliging. I am in statu quo .”