“Who the devil is this fellow?”

“ ’Gad,” said Mr. Mivins, looking lazily out from under the bedclothes, “I ought to ask you that. Hasn’t he any business here?”

“No,” replied Mr. Smangle.

“Then knock him downstairs, and tell him not to presume to get up till I come and kick him,” rejoined Mr. Mivins; with this prompt advice that excellent gentleman again betook himself to slumber.

The conversation exhibiting these unequivocal symptoms of verging on the personal, Mr. Pickwick deemed it a fit point at which to interpose.