“Because if you did want to,” pursued Mr. Wegg, the brilliancy of whose point was dimmed by his having been unexpectedly answered: “you wouldn’t be. I’ve been your slave long enough. I’m not to be trampled underfoot by a dustman any more. With the single exception of the salary, I renounce the whole and total sitiwation.”

“Since you say it is to be so, Wegg,” returned Mr. Boffin, with folded hands, “I suppose it must be.”

“ I suppose it must be,” Wegg retorted. “Next (to clear the ground before coming to business), you’ve placed in this yard a skulking, a sneaking, and a sniffing, menial.”

“He hadn’t a cold in his head when I sent him here,” said Mr. Boffin.