“So it is, my dear,” said Mr. Boffin, “when not literary. But when so, not so. And I am bound to bear in mind that I took Wegg on, at a time when I had no thought of being fashionable or of leaving the Bower. To let him feel himself anyways slighted now, would be to be guilty of a meanness, and to act like having one’s head turned by the halls of dazzling light. Which Lord forbid! Rokesmith, what shall we say about your living in the house?”

“In this house?”

“No, no. I have got other plans for this house. In the new house?”

“That will be as you please, Mr. Boffin. I hold myself quite at your disposal. You know where I live at present.”