I expressed my opinion that this was going in the right direction. “It may be a sacrifice,” said Mrs. Micawber, “to immure one’s-self in a Cathedral town; but surely, Mr. Copperfield, if it is a sacrifice in me, it is much more a sacrifice in a man of Mr. Micawber’s abilities.”

“Oh! You are going to a Cathedral town?” said I.

Mr. Micawber, who had been helping us all, out of the wash-hand-stand jug, replied:

“To Canterbury. In fact, my dear Copperfield, I have entered into arrangements, by virtue of which I stand pledged and contracted to our friend Heep, to assist and serve him in the capacity of⁠—and to be⁠—his confidential clerk.”