“Of course,” said Mr. Bounderby. “Now perhaps you’ll let the gentleman know, how you would set this muddle (as you’re so fond of calling it) to rights.”

“I donno, sir. I canna be expecten to ’t. ’Tis not me as should be looken to for that, sir. ’Tis them as is put ower me, and ower aw the rest of us. What do they tak upon themseln, sir, if not to do’t?”

“I’ll tell you something towards it, at any rate,” returned Mr. Bounderby. “We will make an example of half a dozen Slackbridges. We’ll indict the blackguards for felony, and get ’em shipped off to penal settlements.”

Stephen gravely shook his head.

“Don’t tell me we won’t, man,” said Mr. Bounderby, by this time blowing a hurricane, “because we will, I tell you!”