Sam felt very strongly disposed to give the reverend Mr. Stiggins something to groan for, but he repressed his inclination, and merely asked, “What’s the old ’un up to now?”

“Up to, indeed!” said Mrs. Weller, “Oh, he has a hard heart. Night after night does this excellent man⁠—don’t frown, Mr. Stiggins; I will say you are an excellent man⁠—come and sit here, for hours together, and it has not the least effect upon him.”

“Well, that is odd,” said Sam; “it ’ud have a wery considerable effect upon me, if I wos in his place; I know that.”