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.'

'Say what you were going to say,' cried Jonas angrily, 'and let my face
be! As long as I can show my teeth when I want to (and I can do that
pretty well), the colour of my lips is not material.'

'Quite true,' said Tigg. 'I was only going to say that you are too quick
and active for our friend. He is too shy to cope with such a man as you,
but does his duty well. Oh, very well! But what is a light sleeper?'

'Hang a light sleeper!' exclaimed Jonas pettishly.

'No, no,' interrupted Tigg. 'No. We'll not do that.'

'A light sleeper ain't a heavy one,' said Jonas in his sulky way; 'don't
sleep much, and don't sleep well, and don't sleep sound.'

'And dreams,' said Tigg, 'and cries out in an ugly manner; and when the
candle burns down in the night, is in an agony; and all that sort of
thing. I see!'

They were silent for a little time. Then Jonas spoke:

'Now we've done with child's talk, I want to have a word with you. I
want to have a word with you before we meet up yonder to-day. I am not
satisfied with the state of affairs.'

'Not satisfied!' cried Tigg. 'The money comes in well.'

'The money comes in well enough,' retorted Jonas, 'but it don't come
out well enough. It can't be got at easily enough. I haven't sufficient
power; it is all in your hands. Ecod! what with one of your by-laws, and
another