“I’ll tell you what it is, young boa-constructer,” said Mr. Weller impressively; “if you don’t sleep a little less, and exercise a little more, wen you comes to be a man you’ll lay yourself open to the same sort of personal inconwenience as was inflicted on the old gen’l’m’n as wore the pigtail.”

“What did they do to him?” inquired the fat boy, in a faltering voice.

“I’m a-going to tell you,” replied Mr. Weller; “he was one o’ the largest patterns as was ever turned out⁠—reg’lar fat man, as hadn’t caught a glimpse of his own shoes for five-and-forty year.”

“Lor!” exclaimed Emma.