Bella caught Mr. Boffin’s twinkling eye for half an instant; but he got it away from her, and restored it to his broad brown hand.

“From the first, you was always a special favourite of Noddy’s,” said Mrs. Boffin, shaking her head. “O you were! And if I had been inclined to be jealous, I don’t know what I mightn’t have done to you. But as I wasn’t⁠—why, my beauty,” with a hearty laugh and an embrace, “I made you a special favourite of my own too. But the horses is coming round the corner. Well! Then says my Noddy, shaking his sides till he was fit to make ’em ache again: ‘Look out for being slighted and oppressed, John, for if ever a man had a hard master, you shall find me from this present time to be such to you.’ And then he began!” cried Mrs. Boffin, in an ecstacy of admiration. “Lord bless you, then he began! And how he did begin; didn’t he!”