| 238 | 239 | 240 | 241 | 242 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
bitter and ironical manner when they find themselves in situations of
an unpleasant nature. This is the more probable from the
circumstance of Mr Swiveller directing his observations to the ceiling,
which these bodily personages are usually supposed to inhabit -
except in theatrical cases, when they live in the heart of the great
chandelier.
'
Quilp offers me this place, which he says he can insure me,' resumed
Dick after a thoughtful silence, and telling off the circumstances of his
position, one by one, upon his fingers; 'Fred, who, I could have taken
my affidavit, would not have heard of such a thing, backs Quilp to my
astonishment, and urges me to take it also - staggerer, number one!
My aunt in the country stops the supplies, and writes an affectionate
note to say that she has made a new will, and left me out of it -
staggerer, number two. No money; no credit; no support from Fred,
who seems to turn steady all at once; notice to quit the old lodgings -
staggerers, three, four, five, and six! Under an accumulation of
staggerers, no man can be considered a free agent. No man knocks
himself down; if his destiny knocks him down, his destiny must pick
him up again. Then I'm very glad that mine has brought all this upon
itself, and I shall be as careless as I can, and make myself quite at
home to spite it. So go on my buck,' said Mr Swiveller, taking his leave
of the ceiling with a significant nod, 'and let us see which of us will be
tired first!'
Dismissing the subject of his downfall with these reflections, which
were no doubt very profound, and are indeed not altogether unknown
in certain systems of moral philosophy, Mr Swiveller shook off his
despondency and assumed the cheerful ease of an irresponsible clerk.
As a means towards his composure and self-possession, he entered
into a more minute examination of the office than he had yet had time
to make; looked into the wig-box, the books, and ink-bottle; untied
and inspected all the papers; carved a few devices on the table with a
sharp blade of Mr Brass's penknife; and wrote his name on the inside
of the wooden coal-scuttle. Having, as it were, taken formal possession
of his clerkship in virtue of these proceedings, he opened the window
and leaned negligently out of it until a beer-boy happened to pass,
whom he commanded to set down his tray and to serve him with a
pint of mild porter, which he drank upon the spot and promptly paid
for, with the view of breaking ground for a system of future credit and
opening a correspondence tending thereto, without loss of time. Then,
three or four little boys dropped in, on legal errands from three or four
attorneys of the Brass grade: whom Mr Swiveller received and
dismissed with about as professional a manner, and as correct and
comprehensive an understanding of their business, as would have
been shown by a clown in a pantomime under similar circumstances.
These things done and over, he got upon his stool again and tried his
Page
Quick Jump
|