titude--(cursed old curmudgeon!) He said if I left them just
now, I might whistle for a character, except one that I should not
like; but if he don't mind I'll give him a touch of law about
that--which brings me to what happened to-day with _our_ lawyers,
Titty, the people at Saffron Hill, whom I thought I would call in
on to-day, being near the neighborhood with some light goods, to
see how affairs was getting on, and stir them up a bit"--

This almost took Titmouse's breath away----

--"feeling most _interested_ on your account, as you know, dear
Tit, I do. I said I wanted to speak to one of the gentlemen on
business of wital importance; whereat I was quickly shown into a
room where two gents was sitting. Having put down my parcel for a
minute on the table, I said I was a very partic'lar friend of
yours, and had called in to see how things went on about the
advertisement; whereat you never saw in your life how struck they
looked, and stared at one another in speechless silence, till they
said to me, what concerned me about the business? or something of
that nature, but in such a way that _ris_ a _rage_ in me directly,
all for your sake, (for I did not like the looks of things;) and
says I, I said, we would let them know we were not to be
_gammoned_; whereat up rose the youngest of the two, and ringing
the bell, he says to a tight-laced young gentleman with a pen
behind his ear, 'Show this fellow to the door,' which I was at
once; but, in doing so, let out a little of my mind to them.
They're no better than they should be, you see if they are; but
when we touch the property, we'll show them who is their masters,
which consoles me. Good-by, keep your sperrits up, and I will call
and tell you more about it on Sunday. So farewell (I write this at
Mr. Sharpeye's desk, who is coming down from dinner directly, the
beast!)--Your true friend,
"R. HUCKABACK.

"P. S.--Met a young Jew last night with a lot of prime cigars, and
(knowing he _must_ have stole them--betwixt you, and I, and the
Post--they looked so good at the price,) I bought one shilling's
worth for me, and two shillings' worth for you, your salary being
higher, and to say nothing of your chances."

All that part of the foregoing letter which rel