“Very well then,” said the boy; “that’s something in his favour, and a great thing. Then I come in. Mr. Headstone has always got me on, and he has a good deal in his power, and of course if he was my brother-in-law he wouldn’t get me on less, but would get me on more. Mr. Headstone comes and confides in me, in a very delicate way, and says, ‘I hope my marrying your sister would be agreeable to you, Hexam, and useful to you?’ I say, ‘There’s nothing in the world, Mr. Headstone, that I could be better pleased with.’ Mr. Headstone says, ‘Then I may rely upon your intimate knowledge of me for your good word with your sister, Hexam?’ And I say, ‘Certainly, Mr. Headstone, and naturally I have a good deal of influence with her.’ So I have; haven’t I, Liz?”

“Yes, Charley.”