“Come! According to your own account I’m not worth much,” Wegg reasons persuasively.

“Not for miscellaneous working in, I grant you, Mr. Wegg; but you might turn out valuable yet, as a⁠—” here Mr. Venus takes a gulp of tea, so hot that it makes him choke, and sets his weak eyes watering; “as a monstrosity, if you’ll excuse me.”

Repressing an indignant look, indicative of anything but a disposition to excuse him, Silas pursues his point.

“I think you know me, Mr. Venus, and I think you know I never bargain.”

Mr. Venus takes gulps of hot tea, shutting his eyes at every gulp, and opening them again in a spasmodic manner; but does not commit himself to assent.