“How are the two poor little Minders?” asked Mrs. Boffin.

“Striking right out, mum, and coming round beautiful.”

Mrs. Boffin looked on the other three members of Council, and then said, beckoning with her finger:

“Sloppy.”

“Yes, mum.”

“Come forward, Sloppy. Should you like to dine here every day?”

“Off of all four on ’em, mum? O mum!” Sloppy’s feelings obliged him to squeeze his hat, and contract one leg at the knee.

“Yes. And should you like to be always taken care of here, if you were industrious and deserving?”