“It rather puzzled me at the time,” said Mr. Boffin, “and it rather puzzled me and Mrs. Boffin when we spoke of it afterwards, because (not to make a mystery of our belief) we have always believed a Secretary to be a piece of furniture, mostly of mahogany, lined with green baize or leather, with a lot of little drawers in it. Now, you won’t think I take a liberty when I mention that you certainly ain’t that .”

Certainly not, said Mr. Rokesmith. But he had used the word in the sense of Steward.