“I shall have a word or two to say to you, Mr. Wegg, before long,” remarked Venus, “respecting my share in the project we’ve been speaking of.”

“My time, sir,” returned Wegg, “is yours. In the meanwhile let it be fully understood that I shall not neglect bringing the grindstone to bear, nor yet bringing Dusty Boffin’s nose to it. His nose once brought to it, shall be held to it by these hands, Mr. Venus, till the sparks flies out in showers.”