He called to see my Governor this morning,' replied Mr Chuckster;

beyond that, I don't know him from Adam.'

At least you know his name?' said Dick.

To which Mr Chuckster replied, with an elevation of speech becoming

a Glorious Apollo, that he was 'everlastingly blessed' if he did.

All I know, my dear feller,' said Mr Chuckster, running his fingers

through his hair, 'is, that he is the cause of my having stood here

twenty minutes, for which I hate him with a mortal and undying

hatred, and would pursue him to the confines of eternity if I could

afford the time.'

While they were thus discoursing, the subject of their conversation

(who had not appeared to recognise Mr Richard Swiveller) re-entered

the house, and Kit came down the steps and joined them; to whom Mr

Swiveller again propounded his inquiry with no better success.

'He is a very nice gentleman, Sir,' said Kit, 'and that's all I know about

him.'

Mr Chuckster waxed wroth at this answer, and without applying the

remark to any particular case, mentioned, as a general truth, that it

was expedient to break the heads of Snobs, and to tweak their noses.

Without expressing his concurrence in this sentiment, Mr Swiveller

after a few moments of abstraction inquired which way Kit was

driving, and, being informed, declared it was his way, and that he

would trespass on him for a lift. Kit would gladly have declined the

proffered honour, but as Mr Swiveller was already established in the

seat beside him, he had no means of doing so, otherwise than by a

forcible ejectment, and therefore, drove briskly off - so briskly indeed,

as to cut short the leave-taking between Mr Chuckster and his Grand

Master, and to occasion the former gentleman some inconvenience

from having his corns squeezed by the impatient pony.

As Whisker was tired of standing, and Mr Swiveller was kind enough

to stimulate him by shrill whistles, and various sporting cries, they

rattled off at too sharp a pace to admit of much conversation:

especially as the pony, incensed by Mr Swiveller's admonitions, took a

particular fancy for the lamp-posts and cart-wheels, and evinced a

strong desire to run on the pavement and rasp himself against the

brick walls. It was not, therefore, until they had arrived at the stable,

and the chaise had been extricated from a very small doorway, into

which the pony dragged it under the impression that he could take it

along with him into his usual stall, that Mr Swiveller found time to

talk.

The Old Curiosity Shop