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'
'
Certainly, sir,' returned Brass, taking out his pocket-book and pencil.
I'll take down the heads if you please, sir. Remarkable documents,'
added the lawyer, raising his eyes to the ceiling, 'most remarkable
documents. He states his points so clearly that it's a treat to have 'em!
I don't know any act of parliament that's equal to him in clearness.'
'
I shall deprive you of a treat,' said Quilp. 'Put up your book. We don't
want any documents. So. There's a lad named Kit - '
Miss Sally nodded, implying that she knew of him.
'
Kit!' said Mr Sampson. - 'Kit! Ha! I've heard the name before, but I
don't exactly call to mind - I don't exactly - '
'You're as slow as a tortoise, and more thick-headed than a
rhinoceros,' returned his obliging client with an impatient gesture.
'
He's extremely pleasant!' cried the obsequious Sampson. 'His
acquaintance with Natural History too is surprising. Quite a Buffoon,
quite!'
There is no doubt that Mr Brass intended some compliment or other;
and it has been argued with show of reason that he would have said
Buffon, but made use of a superfluous vowel. Be this as it may, Quilp
gave him no time for correction, as he performed that office himself by
more than tapping him on the head with the handle of his umbrella.
'
Don't let's have any wrangling,' said Miss Sally, staying his hand. 'I've
showed you that I know him, and that's enough.'
'
She's always foremost!' said the dwarf, patting her on the back and
looking contemptuously at Sampson. 'I don't like Kit, Sally.'
'
'
'
Nor I,' rejoined Miss Brass.
Nor I,' said Sampson.
Why, that's right!' cried Quilp. 'Half our work is done already. This Kit
is one of your honest people; one of your fair characters; a prowling
prying hound; a hypocrite; a double- faced, white- livered, sneaking
spy; a crouching cur to those that feed and coax him, and a barking
yelping dog to all besides.'
'
'
Fearfully eloquent!' cried Brass with a sneeze. 'Quite appalling!'
Come to the point,' said Miss Sally, 'and don't talk so much.'
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