It was a trait in Mr. Podsnap’s character (and in one form or other it will be generally seen to pervade the depths and shallows of Podsnappery), that he could not endure a hint of disparagement of any friend or acquaintance of his. “How dare you?” he would seem to say, in such a case. “What do you mean? I have licensed this person. This person has taken out my certificate. Through this person you strike at me, Podsnap the Great. And it is not that I particularly care for the person’s dignity, but that I do most particularly care for Podsnap’s.” Hence, if anyone in his presence had presumed to doubt the responsibility of the Lammles, he would have been mightily huffed. Not that anyone did, for Veneering, M.P. , was always the authority for their being very rich, and perhaps believed it. As indeed he might, if he chose, for anything he knew of the matter.