第247章

`A most invaluable constitution,' Tigg retorted. `A great gift for a gentleman employed as you are, Mr. Nadgett. Much better than discretion: though you possess that quality also in an eminent degree. I think I heard a double knock. Will you put your head out of window, and tell me whether there is anybody at the door?'

Mr. Nadgett softly raised the sash, and peered out from the very corner, as a man might who was looking down into a street from whence a brisk discharge of musketry might be expected at any moment. Drawing in his head with equal caution, he observed, not altering his voice or manner:

`Mr. Jonas Chuzzlewit!'

`I thought so,' Tigg retorted.

`Shall I go?'

`I think you had better. Stay though! No! remain here, Mr. Nadgett, if you please.'

It was remarkable how pale and flurried he had become in an instant.

There was nothing to account for it. His eye had fallen on his razors; but what of them!

Mr. Chuzzlewit was announced.

`Show him up directly. Nadgett! don't you leave us alone together. Mind you don't, now! By the Lord!' he added in a whisper to himself: `We don't know what may happen.'

Saying this, he hurriedly took up a couple of hair-brushes, and began to exercise them on his own head, as if his toilet had not been interrupted.

Mr. Nadgett withdrew to the stove, in which there was a small fire for the convenience of heating curling-irons; and taking advantage of so favourable an opportunity for drying his pocket-handkerchief, produced it without loss of time. There he stood, during the whole interview, holding it before the bars, and sometimes, but not often, glancing over his shoulder.

`My dear Chuzzlewit!' cried Montague, as Jonas entered: `you rise with the lark. Though you go to bed with the nightingale, you rise with the lark. You have superhuman energy, my dear Chuzzlewit!'

`Ecod!' said Jonas, with an air of langour and ill-humour, as he took a chair, `I should be very glad not to get up with the lark, if I could help it. But I am a light sleeper; and it's better to be up than lying awake, counting the dismal old church-clocks, in bed.'

`A light sleeper!' cried his friend. `Now, what is a light sleeper?

I often hear the expression, but upon my life I have not the least conception what a light sleeper is.'

`Hallo!' said Jonas, `Who's that? Oh, old what's-his-name: looking (as usual) as if he wanted to skulk up the chimney.'

`Ha, ha! I have no doubt he does.'

`Well! He's not wanted here, I suppose,' said Jonas. `He may go, mayn't he?'

`Oh, let him stay, let him stay!' said Tigg. `He's a mere piece of furniture.

He has been making his report, and is waiting for further orders. He has been told,' said Tigg, raising his voice, `not to lose sight of certain friends of ours, or to think that he has done with them by any means. He understands his business.'

`He need,' replied Jonas; `for of all the precious old dummies in appearance that I ever saw, he's about the worst. He's afraid of me, I think.'

`It's my belief,' said Tigg, `that you are Poison to him. Nadgett! give me that towel!'

He had as little occasion for a towel as Jonas had for a start. But Nadgett brought it quickly; and, having lingered for a moment, fell back upon his old post by the fire.

`You see, my dear fellow,' resumed Tigg, `you are too -- What's the matter with your lips? How white they are!'

`I took some vinegar just now,' said Jonas. `I had oysters for my breakfast.

Where are they white?' he added, muttering an oath, and rubbing them upon his handkerchief. `I don't believe they are white.'

`Now I look again, they are not,' replied his friend. `They are coming right again.'