“Wy, you don’t suppose the reduced counsels is alive, do you?” inquired Sam, with some disdain.

“How should I know?” retorted Mr. Weller; “I thought they looked wery like it. Wot are they, then?”

“Clerks,” replied Sam.

“Wot are they all a-eatin’ ham sangwidges for?” inquired his father.

“ ’Cos it’s in their dooty, I suppose,” replied Sam, “it’s a part o’ the system; they’re alvays a-doin’ it here, all day long!”