'Have we got any other client like him?' said Brass. 'Have we got

another client like him now - will you answer me that?'

'Do you mean in the face!' said his sister.

Do I mean in the face!' sneered Sampson Brass, reaching over to take

up the bill-book, and fluttering its leaves rapidly. 'Look here - Daniel

Quilp, Esquire - Daniel Quilp, Esquire - Daniel Quilp, Esquire - 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. 'You're

afraid you won't have as long a finger in the business as you've been

used to have. Do you think I don't see through that?'

The business wouldn't go on very long, I expect, without me,' returned

his sister composedly. 'Don't you be a fool and provoke me, Sammy,

but mind what you're 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 wouldn't

be allowed to come. You know that well enough, so don't talk

nonsense.'

Mr Brass received this observation with increased meekness, merely

remarking, under his breath, that he didn't like that kind of joking,

and that Miss Sally would be 'a much better fellow' if she forbore 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

Devil's ware here? Is Brass at a premium, eh?'

The Old Curiosity Shop