“Hem! Ahem!” coughed Mr. Wegg to attract his employer’s attention. “Would you wish to commence with an animal, sir⁠—from the Register ?”

“No,” said Mr. Boffin, “no, Wegg.” With that, producing a little book from his breast-pocket, he handed it with great care to the literary gentlemen, and inquired, “What do you call that, Wegg?”

“This, sir,” replied Silas, adjusting his spectacles, and referring to the titlepage, “is Merryweather’s Lives and Anecdotes of Misers . Mr. Venus, would you make yourself useful and draw the candles a little nearer, sir?” This to have a special opportunity of bestowing a stare upon his comrade.