“A teapot,” repeated Mr. Boffin, continuing to muse and survey the books; “a teapot, a teapot. Are you ready, Wegg?”

“I am at your service, sir,” replied that gentleman, taking his usual seat on the usual settle, and poking his wooden leg under the table before it. “ Mr. Venus, would you make yourself useful, and take a seat beside me, sir, for the conveniency of snuffing the candles?”

Venus complying with the invitation while it was yet being given, Silas pegged at him with his wooden leg, to call his particular attention to Mr. Boffin standing musing before the fire, in the space between the two settles.