—that is to say, regarded in the light of true British Oak, for such you are⁠—explain, Mr. Venus, the expression ‘papers’!”

“Seeing that the old gentleman was generally cutting off some near relation, or blocking out some natural affection,” Mr. Venus rejoins, “he most likely made a good many wills and codicils.”

The palm of Silas Wegg descends with a sounding smack upon the palm of Venus, and Wegg lavishly exclaims, “Twin in opinion equally with feeling! Mix a little more!”