“ Mr. Wegg, I know it ain’t; Mr. Wegg, I know it ain’t. But it’s the heart that lowers me, it is the heart! Be so good as take and read that card out loud.”

Silas receives one from his hand, which Venus takes from a wonderful litter in a drawer, and putting on his spectacles, reads:

“ ‘ Mr. Venus,’ ”

“Yes. Go on.”

“ ‘Preserver of Animals and Birds,’ ”

“Yes. Go on.”

“ ‘Articulator of human bones.’ ”