“I vish you could muffle that ’ere Stiggins, and take him vith you,” said Mr. Weller.

“I am ashamed on you!” said Sam reproachfully; “what do you let him show his red nose in the Markis o’ Granby at all, for?”

Mr. Weller the elder fixed on his son an earnest look, and replied, “ ’Cause I’m a married man, Samivel, ’cause I’m a married man. Ven you’re a married man, Samivel, you’ll understand a good many things as you don’t understand now; but vether it’s worth while goin’ through so much, to learn so little, as the charity-boy said ven he got to the end of the alphabet, is a matter o’ taste. I rayther think it isn’t.”

“Well,” said Sam, “goodbye.”

“Tar, tar, Sammy,” replied his father.