much as I shall. And who are you?”
“But then, again,” Mr. Boffin gently represented; “my old lady has very upright principles.”
“Who’s your old lady,” returned Wegg, “to set herself up for having uprighter principles than mine?”
Mr. Boffin seemed a little less patient at this point than at any other of the negotiations. But he commanded himself, and said tamely enough: “I think it must be kept from my old lady, Wegg.”
“Well,” said Wegg, contemptuously, though, perhaps, perceiving some hint of danger otherwise, “keep it from your old lady. I ain’t going to tell her. I can have you under close inspection without that. I’m as good a man as you, and better. Ask me to dinner. Give me the run of your ’ouse. I was good enough for you and your old lady once, when I helped you out with your weal and hammers. Was there no Miss Elizabeth, Master George, Aunt Jane, and Uncle Parker, before you two?”