“You look very well, Mr. Barkis,” I said, thinking he would like to know it.

Mr. Barkis rubbed his cheek with his cuff, and then looked at his cuff as if he expected to find some of the bloom upon it; but made no other acknowledgement of the compliment.

“I gave your message, Mr. Barkis,” I said: “I wrote to Peggotty.”

“Ah!” said Mr. Barkis.

Mr. Barkis seemed gruff, and answered drily.

“Wasn’t it right, Mr. Barkis?” I asked, after a little hesitation.