that good fortune was turning my stupid head and hardening my silly heart—was making me grasping, calculating, insolent, insufferable—and you took the pains to be the dearest and kindest fingerpost that ever was set up anywhere, pointing out the road that I was taking and the end it led to. Confess instantly!”
“John,” said Mr. Boffin, one broad piece of sunshine from head to foot, “I wish you’d help me out of this.”
“You can’t be heard by counsel, sir,” returned Bella. “You must speak for yourself. Confess instantly!”
“Well, my dear,” said Mr. Boffin, “the truth is, that when we did go in for the little scheme that my old lady has pinted out, I did put it to John, what did he think of going in for some such general scheme as you have pinted out? But I didn’t in any way so word it, because I didn’t in any way so mean it. I only said to John, wouldn’t it be more consistent, me going in for being a reg’lar brown bear respecting him, to go in as a reg’lar brown bear all round?”