“I mean, godmother,” replied Miss Wren, sitting down beside the Jew, “that the fox has caught a famous flogging, and that if his skin and bones are not tingling, aching, and smarting at this present instant, no fox did ever tingle, ache, and smart.” Therewith Miss Jenny related what had come to pass in the Albany, omitting the few grains of pepper.

“Now, godmother,” she went on, “I particularly wish to ask you what has taken place here, since I left the wolf here? Because I have an idea about the size of a marble, rolling about in my little noddle. First and foremost, are you Pubsey and Co. , or are you either? Upon your solemn word and honour.”

The old man shook his head.

“Secondly, isn’t Fledgeby both Pubsey and Co. ?”

The old man answered with a reluctant nod.