“Not if you speak to him, dear Mr. Fledgeby.”

“Upon my soul and body he is!” said Fledgeby.

“Try. Try once more, dearest Mr. Fledgeby. What is there you cannot do, if you will!”

“Thank you,” said Fledgeby, “you’re very complimentary to say so. I don’t mind trying him again, at your request. But of course I can’t answer for the consequences. Riah is a tough subject, and when he says he’ll do a thing, he’ll do it.”

“Exactly so,” cried Mrs. Lammle, “and when he says to you he’ll wait, he’ll wait.”