I explained with tolerable firmness, that I really did not know where my means of subsistence were to come from, unless I could earn them for myself. I had no fear for the future, I said⁠—and I laid great emphasis on that, as if to imply that I should still be decidedly eligible for a son-in-law one of these days⁠—but, for the present, I was thrown upon my own resources. “I am extremely sorry to hear this, Copperfield,” said Mr. Spenlow. “Extremely sorry. It is not usual to cancel articles for any such reason. It is not a professional course of proceeding. It is not a convenient precedent at all. Far from it. At the same time⁠—”

“You are very good, sir,” I murmured, anticipating a concession.

“Not at all. Don’t mention it,” said Mr. Spenlow. “At the same time, I was going to say, if it had been my lot to have my hands unfettered⁠—if I had not a partner⁠— Mr. Jorkins⁠—”