“All right, Venus, all right. Now, that you’ve been to see me, and have consented to keep up the appearance before Wegg of remaining in it for a time, I have got a sort of a backer. All right, Venus. Thank’ee, Venus. Thank’ee, thank’ee, thank’ee!”
Mr. Venus shook the proffered hand with a modest air, and they pursued the direction of the Bower.
“Do you think Wegg is likely to drop down upon me tonight, Venus?” inquired Mr. Boffin, wistfully, as they went along.
“I think he is, sir.”
“Have you any particular reason for thinking so, Venus?”
“Well, sir,” returned that personage, “the fact is, he has given me another look-in, to make sure of what he calls our stock-in-trade being correct, and he has mentioned his intention that he was not to be put off beginning with you the very next time you should come. And this,” hinted Mr. Venus, delicately, “being the very next time, you know, sir—”
—“Why, therefore you suppose he’ll turn to at the grindstone, eh, Wegg?” said Mr. Boffin.
“Just so, sir.”
Mr. Boffin took his nose in his hand, as if it were already excoriated, and the sparks were beginning to fly out of that feature. “He’s a terrible fellow, Venus; he’s an awful fellow. I don’t know how ever I shall go through with it. You must stand by me, Venus like a good man and true. You’ll do all you can to stand by me, Venus; won’t you?”
Mr. Venus replied with the assurance that he would; and Mr. Boffin, looking anxious and dispirited, pursued the way in silence until they rang at the Bower gate. The stumping approach of Wegg was soon heard