“Ha, ha, ha, gentlemen!” roared Sloppy in a peal of laughter, and with immeasureable relish. “He never thought as I could sleep standing, and often done it when I turned for Mrs. Higden! He never thought as I used to give Mrs. Higden the police-news in different voices! But I did lead him a life all through it, gentlemen, I hope I really and truly did !” Here, Mr. Sloppy opening his mouth to a quite alarming extent, and throwing back his head to peal again, revealed incalculable buttons.

“Oh!” said Wegg, slightly discomfited, but not much as yet: “one and one is two not dismissed, is it? Bof⁠—fin! Just let me ask a question. Who set this chap on, in this dress, when the carting began? Who employed this fellow?”