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?'

'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed the lawyer in an affected ecstasy. 'Oh, very
good, Sir! Oh, very good indeed! Quite eccentric! Dear me, what
humour he has!'

'Is that my Sally?' croaked the dwarf, ogling the fair Miss Brass. 'Is
it Justice with the bandage off her eyes, and without the sword and
scales? Is it the Strong Arm of the Law? Is it the Virgin of Bevis?'

'What an amazing flow of spirits!' cried Brass. 'Upon my word, it's
quite extraordinary!'

'Open the door,' said Quilp, 'I've got him here. Such a clerk for you,
Brass, such a prize, such an ace of trumps. Be quick and open the
door, or if there's another lawyer near and he should happen to look
out of window, he'll snap him up before your eyes, he will.'

It is probable that the loss of the phoenix of clerks, even to a rival
practitioner, would not have broken Mr Brass's heart; but, pretending
great alacrity, he rose from his seat, and going to the door, returned,
introducing his client, who led by the hand no less a person than Mr
Richard Swi