Says Podsnap, something sternly, “Now, first of all, Veneering, do you ask my advice?”
Veneering falters that as so old and so dear a friend—
“Yes, yes, that’s all very well,” says Podsnap; “but have you made up your mind to take this borough of Pocket-Breaches on its own terms, or do you ask my opinion whether you shall take it or leave it alone?”
Veneering repeats that his heart’s desire and his soul’s thirst are, that Podsnap shall rally round him.
“Now, I’ll be plain with you, Veneering,” says Podsnap, knitting his brows. “You will infer that I don’t care about Parliament, from the fact of my not being there?”
Why, of course Veneering knows that! Of course Veneering knows that if Podsnap chose to go there, he would be there, in a space of time that might be stated by the light and thoughtless