“But then, again,” Mr. Boffin gently represented; “my old lady has very upright principles.”

“Who’s your old lady,” returned Wegg, “to set herself up for having uprighter principles than mine?”

Mr. Boffin seemed a little less patient at this point than at any other of the negotiations. But he commanded himself, and said tamely enough: “I think it must be kept from my old lady, Wegg.”