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grotesque politeness. 'Aha!' he cried. 'Where now, Brass? where now?
Sally with you too? Sweet Sally! And Dick? Pleasant Dick! And Kit!
Honest Kit!'
'
He's extremely cheerful!' said Brass to the coachman. 'Very much so!
Ah, sir - a sad business! Never believe in honesty any more, sir.'
'
Why not?' returned the dwarf. 'Why not, you rogue of a lawyer, why
not?'
'Bank-note lost in our office sir,' said Brass, shaking his head. 'Found
in his hat sir - he previously left alone there - no mistake at all sir -
chain of evidence complete - not a link wanting.'
'
What!' cried the dwarf, leaning half his body out of window. 'Kit a
thief! Kit a thief! Ha ha ha! Why, he's an uglier-looking thief than can
be seen anywhere for a penny. Eh, Kit - eh? Ha ha ha! Have you taken
Kit into custody before he had time and opportunity to beat me! Eh,
Kit, eh?' And with that, he burst into a yell of laughter, manifestly to
the great terror of the coachman, and pointed to a dyer's pole hard by,
where a dangling suit of clothes bore some resemblance to a man
upon a gibbet.
'
'
Is it coming to that, Kit!' cried the dwarf, rubbing his hands violently.
Ha ha ha ha! What a disappointment for little Jacob, and for his
darling mother! Let him have the Bethel minister to comfort and
console him, Brass. Eh, Kit, eh? Drive on coachey, drive on. Bye bye,
Kit; all good go with you; keep up your spirits; my love to the Garlands
-
the dear old lady and gentleman. Say I inquired after 'em, will you?
Blessings on 'em, on you, and on everybody, Kit. Blessings on all the
world!'
With such good wishes and farewells, poured out in a rapid torrent
until they were out of hearing, Quilp suffered them to depart; and
when he could see the coach no longer, drew in his head, and rolled
upon the ground in an ecstacy of enjoyment.
When they reached the notary's, which they were not long in doing, for
they had encountered the dwarf in a bye street at a very little distance
from the house, Mr Brass dismounted; and opening the coach door
with a melancholy visage, requested his sister to accompany him into
the office, with the view of preparing the good people within, for the
mournful intelligence that awaited them. Miss Sally complying, he
desired Mr Swiveller to accompany them. So, into the office they went;
Mr Sampson and his sister arm-in-arm; and Mr Swiveller following,
alone.
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