“He takes more care of my affairs, morning, noon, and night,” said Mr. Boffin, “than fifty other men put together either could or would; and yet he has ways of his own that are like tying a scaffolding-pole right across the road, and bringing me up short when I am almost a-walking arm in arm with him.”

“May I ask how so, sir?” inquired Bella.

“Well, my dear,” said Mr. Boffin, “he won’t meet any company here, but you. When we have visitors, I should wish him to have his regular place at the table like ourselves; but no, he won’t take it.”

“If he considers himself above it,” said Miss Bella, with an airy toss of her head, “I should leave him alone.”