“Why,” said Mr. Nupkins, “that might be very easily done, for he will be here tonight, and then there would be no occasion to make the matter public, just⁠—just⁠—for the young man’s own sake, you know. I⁠—I⁠—should like to consult Mrs. Nupkins on the propriety of the step, in the first instance, though. At all events, Mr. Pickwick, we must despatch this legal business before we can do anything else. Pray step back into the next room.”

Into the next room they went.

“Grummer,” said the magistrate, in an awful voice.

“Your Wash-up,” replied Grummer, with the smile of a favourite.