Here Mr. Boffin was heard lustily calling at the yard gate, “Halloa! Wegg! Halloa!”

“Keep your seat, Mr. Venus,” said Wegg. “He may not stop.” And then called out, “Halloa, sir! Halloa! I’m with you directly, sir! Half a minute, Mr. Boffin. Coming, sir, as fast as my leg will bring me!” And so with a show of much cheerful alacrity stumped out to the gate with a light, and there, through the window of a cab, descried Mr. Boffin inside, blocked up with books.

“Here! lend a hand, Wegg,” said Mr. Boffin excitedly, “I can’t get out till the way is cleared for me. This is the Annual Register , Wegg, in a cab-full of wollumes. Do you know him?”