"As for quarrelling," said Robinson, "it is the work of children.
Come, Brisket, will you jump with me into yonder river? The first
that reaches the further side, let him have her!" And he pointed up
Bishopsgate Street towards the Thames.

"Perhaps you can swim?" said Brisket.

"Not a stroke!" said Robinson.

"Then what a jolly pair of fools we should be!"

"Ah-h-h-h! That's the way to try a man's metal!"

"If you talk to me about metal, young man, I'll drop into you.
You've been a-sending all manner of messages to me about a barrel
of gunpowder and that sort of thing, and it's my mind that you're a
little out of your own. Now I ain't going to have anything to do with
gunpowder, nor yet with the river. It's a nasty place is the river;
and when I want a wash I shan't go there."

"'Dreadfully staring through muddy impurity!'" said Robinson.

"Impurity enough," continued the other; "and I won't have anything to
do with it. Now, I'll tell you what. Will you give me your word, as a
man, never to have nothing more to say to Maryanne Brown?"

"Never again to speak to her?"

"Not, except in the way of respect, when she's Mrs. Brisket."

"Never again to clasp her hand in mine?"

"Not by no means. And if you want me to remain quiet, you'd a deal
better stow that kind of thing. I'll tell you what it is--I'm
beginning to see my way with old Brown."

"Et tu, Brute?" said Robinson, clasping his hands together.

"I'm beginning to see my way with old Brown," continued Brisket;
"and, to tell you the truth at once, I don't mean to be interfered
with."

"Has--my partner--promised--her hand to you?"

"Yes, he has; and five hundred pounds with it."

"And she--?"

"Oh, she's all right. There isn't any doubt about she. I've just come
from she, as you call her. Now that I see my way, she and I is to be
one."

"And where's the money to come from, Mr. Brisket?"

"The father 'll stand the money--in course."

"I don't know where he'll get it, then; certainly not out of the
capital of our business, Mr. Brisket. And since you are so keen about
seeing your way, Mr. Brisket, I advise you to be quite sure that you
do see it."

"That's my business, young man; I've never been bit yet, and I don't
know as I'm going to begin now. I never moves till I see my way. They
as does is sure to tumble."

"Well; see your way," said Robinson. "See it as far as your natural
lights will enable you to look. It's nothing to me."

"Ah, b