`Why, Sir,' said Mr. Perch, coughing behind his hand again, `his expression certainly were that he was in wants of a sitiwation, and that he considered something might be done for him about the Docks, being used to fishing with a rod and line: but--' Mr. Perch shock his head very dubiously indeed.

`What does he say when he comes?' asked Mr. Carker.

`Indeed, Sir,' said Mr. Perch, coughing another cough behind his hand, which was always his resource as an expression of humility when nothing else occurred to him, `his observation generally air that he would humbly wish to see one of the gentlemen, and that he wants to earn a living. But you see, Sir,' added Perch, dropping his voice to a whisper, and turning, in the inviolable nature of his confidence, to give the door a thrust with his hand and knee, as if that would shut it any more when it was shut already, `it's hardly to be bore, Sir, that a common lad like that should come a prowling here, and saying that his mother nursed our House's young gentleman, and that he hopes our House will give him a chance on that account. I am sure, Sir,' observed Mr. Perch, `that although Mrs. Perch was at that time nursing as thriving a little girl, Sir, as we've ever took the liberty of adding to our family, I wouldn't have made so free as drop a hint of her being capable of imparting nourishment, not if it was never so!'

Mr. Carker grinned at him like a shark, but in an absent, thoughtful manner.

`Whether,' submitted Mr. Perch, after a short silence, and another cough, `it mightn't be best for me to tell him, that if he was seen here any more he would be given into custody; and to keep to it! With respect to bodily fear,' said Mr. Perch, `I'm so timid, myself, by nature, Sir, and my nerves is so unstrung by Mrs. Perch's state, that I could take my affidavit easy.'

`Let me see this fellow, Perch,' said Mr. Carker. `Bring him in!'

`Yes, Sir. Begging your pardon, Sir,' said Mr. Perch, hesitating at the door, `he's rough, Sir, in appearance.'

`Never mind. If he's there, bring him in. I'll see Mr. Gills directly. Ask him to wait.'

Mr. Perch bowed; and shutting the door, as precisely and carefully as if he were not coming back for a week, went on his quest among the sparrows in the court. While he was gone, Mr. Carker assumed his favourite attitude before the fire-place, and stood looking at the door; presenting, with his under lip tucked into the smile that showed his whole row of upper teeth, a singularly crouching appearance.

The messenger was not long in returning, followed by a pair of heavy boots that came bumping along the passage like boxes. With the unceremonious words `Come along with you!'--a very unusual form of introduction from his lips--Mr. Perch then ushered into the presence a strong-built lad of fifteen, with a round red face, a round sleek head, round black eyes, round limbs, and round body, who, to carry out the general rotundity of his appearance, had a round hat in his hand, without a particle of brim to it.

Obedient to a nod from Mr. Carker, Perch had no sooner confronted the visitor with that gentleman than he withdrew. The moment they were face to face alone, Mr. Carker, without a word of preparation, took him by the throat, and shook him until his head seemed loose upon his shoulders.

The boy, who in the midst of his astonishment could not help staring wildly at the gentleman with so many white teeth who was choking him, and at the office walls, as though determined, if he were choked, that his last look should be at the mysteries for his intrusion into which he was paying such a severe penalty, at last contrived to utter--

`Come, Sir! You let me alone, will you!'

`Let you alone!' said Mr. Carker. `What! I have got you, have I?' There was no doubt of that, and tightly too. `You dog,' said Mr. Carker, through his set jaws, `I'll strangle you!'