“I apprehend you never supposed my worldly circumstances to be very good,” replied the assistant. “You know what my position is, and always has been, here.”

“I apprehend, if you come to that,” said Mr. Creakle, with his veins swelling again bigger than ever, “that you’ve been in a wrong position altogether, and mistook this for a charity school. Mr. Mell, we’ll part, if you please. The sooner the better.”

“There is no time,” answered Mr. Mell, rising, “like the present.”

“Sir, to you!” said Mr. Creakle.