“I assure you, my dear,” said Mr. Boffin, “that on the celebrated day when I made what has since been agreed upon to be my grandest demonstration⁠—I allude to Mew says the cat, Quack quack says the duck, and Bow-wow-wow says the dog⁠—I assure you, my dear, that on that celebrated day, them flinty and unbelieving words hit my old lady so hard on my account, that I had to hold her, to prevent her running out after you, and defending me by saying I was playing a part.”