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Mr. Boffin? inquired Venus, with a glance towards the alligators yard or two of smile. Mister be blowed! cried Wegg, yielding to his honest indignation. Boffin. Dusty Boffin. That foxey old grunter and grinder, sir, turns into the yard this morning, to meddle with our property, a menial tool of his own, a young man by the name of Sloppy. Ecod, when I say to him, What do you want here, young man? This is a private yard, he pulls out a paper from Boffins other blackguard, the one I was passed over for. This is to authorize Sloppy to overlook the carting and to watch the work. Thats pretty strong, I think, Mr. Venus? Remember he doesnt know yet of our claim on the property, suggested Venus. Then he must have a hint of it, said Wegg, and a strong one thatll jog his terrors a bit. Give him an inch, and hell take an ell. Let him alone this time, and whatll he do with our property next? I tell you what, Mr. Venus; it comes to this; I must be overbearing with Boffin, or I shall fly into several pieces. I cant contain myself when I look at him. Every time I see him putting his hand in his pocket, I see him putting it into my pocket. Every time I hear him jingling his money, I hear him taking liberties with my money. Flesh and blood cant bear it. No, said Mr. Wegg, greatly exasperated, and Ill go further. A wooden leg cant bear it! But, Mr. Wegg, urged Venus, it was your own idea that he should not be exploded upon, till the Mounds were carted away. But it was likewise my idea, Mr. Venus, retorted Wegg, that if he came sneaking and sniffing about the property, he should be threatened, given to understand that he has no right to it, and be made our slave. Wasnt that my idea, Mr. Venus? It certainly was, Mr. Wegg. It certainly was, as you say, partner, assented Wegg, put into a better humour by the ready admission. Very well. I consider his planting one of his menial tools in the yard, an act of sneaking and sniffing. And his nose shall be put to the grindstone for it. It was not your fault, Mr. Wegg, I must admit, said Venus, that he got off with the Dutch bottle that night. As you handsomely say again, partner! No, it was not my fault. Id have had that bottle out of him. Was it to be borne that he should come, like a thief in the dark, digging among stuff that was far more ours than his (seeing that we could deprive him of every grain of it, if he didnt buy us at our own figure), and carrying off treasure from its bowels? No, it was not to be borne. And for that, too, his nose shall be put to the grindstone. How do you propose to do it, Mr. Wegg? To put his nose to the grindstone? I propose, returned that estimable man, to insult him openly. And, if looking into this eye of mine, he dares to offer a word in answer, to retort upon him before he can take his breath, Add another word to that, you dusty old dog, and youre a beggar. Suppose he says nothing, Mr. Wegg? Then, replied Wegg, we shall have come to an understanding with very little trouble, and Ill break him and drive him, Mr. Venus. Ill put him in harness, and Ill bear him up tight, and Ill break him and drive him. The harder the old Dust is driven, sir, the higher hell pay. And I mean to be paid high, Mr. Venus, I promise you. You speak quite revengefully, Mr. Wegg. |
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