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all through. Whether should I take a clerk that he recommends, and says this is the man for you, or lose all this eh? Miss Sally deigned to make no reply, but smiled again, and went on with her work. But I know what it is, resumed Brass after a short silence. Youre afraid you wont have as long a finger in the business as youve been used to have. Do you think I dont see through that? The business wouldnt go on very long, I expect, without me, returned his sister composedly. Dont you be a fool and provoke me, Sammy, but mind what youre doing, and do it. Sampson Brass, who was at heart in great fear of his sister, sulkily bent over his writing again, and listened as she said: If I determined that the clerk ought not to come, of course he wouldnt be allowed to come. You know that well enough, so dont talk nonsense. Mr Brass received this observation with increased meekness, merely remarking, under his breath, that he didnt like that kind of joking, and that Miss Sally would be a much better fellow if she forebore to aggravate him. To this compliment Miss Sally replied, that she had a relish for the amusement, and had no intention to forego its gratification. Mr Brass not caring, as it seemed, to pursue the subject any further, they both plied their pens at a great pace, and there the discussion ended. While they were thus employed, the window was suddenly darkened, as by some person standing close against it. As Mr Brass and Miss Sally looked up to ascertain the cause, the top sash was nimbly lowered from without, and Quilp thrust in his head. Hallo! he said, standing on tip-toe on the window-sill, and looking down into the room. is there anybody at home? Is there any of the Devils ware here? Is Brass at a premium, eh? Ha, ha, ha! laughed the lawyer in an affected ecstasy. Oh, very good, Sir! Oh, very good indeed! Quite eccentric! Dear me, what humour he has! Is that my Sally? croaked the dwarf, ogling the fair Miss Brass. Is it Justice with the bandage off her eyes, and without the sword and scales? Is it the Strong Arm of the Law? Is it the Virgin of Bevis? What an amazing flow of spirits! cried Brass. Upon my word, its quite extraordinary! Open the door, said Quilp, Ive got him here. Such a clerk for you, Brass, such a prize, such an ace of trumps. Be quick and open the door, or, if theres another lawyer near and he should happen to look out of window, hell snap him up before your eyes, he will. It is probable that the loss of the ph\oe\nix of clerks, even to a rival practitioner, would not have broken Mr Brasss heart; but, pretending great alacrity, he rose from his seat, and going to the door, returned, introducing his client, who led by the hand no less a person than Mr Richard Swiveller. There she is, said Quilp, stopping short at the door, and wrinkling up his eyebrows as he looked towards Miss Sally; there is the woman I ought to have married there is the beautiful Sarah there is the female who has all the charms of her sex and none of their weaknesses. Oh Sally, Sally! To this amorous address Miss Brass briefly responded Bother! Hard-hearted as the metal from which she takes her name, said Quilp. Why dont she change it melt down the brass, and take another name? |
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