fault in him.'

'So it is,' said Martin. 'Very true. There was a fellow only a week or
so ago--a Mr Tigg--who borrowed all the money he had, on a promise to
repay it in a few days. It was but half a sovereign, to be sure; but
it's well it was no more, for he'll never see it again.'

'Poor fellow!' said John, who had been very attentive to these few
words. 'Perhaps you have not had an opportunity of observing that, in
his own pecuniary transactions, Tom's proud.'

'You don't say so! No, I haven't. What do you mean? Won't he borrow?'

John Westlock shook his head.

'That's very odd,' said Martin, setting down his empty glass. 'He's a
strange compound, to be sure.'

'As to receiving money as a gift,' resumed John Westlock; 'I think he'd
die first.'

'He's made up of simplicity,' said Martin. 'Help yourself.'

'You, however,' pursued John, filling his own glass, and looking at his
companion with some curiosity, 'who are older than the majority of Mr
Pecksniff's assistants, and have evidently had much more experience,
understand him, I have no doubt, and see how liable he is to be imposed
upon.'

'Certainly,' said Martin, stretching out his legs, and holding his wine
between his eye and the light. 'Mr Pecksniff knows that too. So do his
daughters. Eh?'

John Westlock smiled, but made no answer.

'By the bye,' said Martin, 'that reminds me. What's your opinion of
Pecksniff? How did he use you? What do you think of him now?--Coolly,
you know, when it's all over?'

'Ask Pinch,' returned the old pupil. 'He knows what my sentiments used
to be upon the subject. They are not changed, I assure you.'

'No, no,' said Martin, 'I'd rather have them from you.'

'But Pinch says they are unjust,' urged John with a smile.

'Oh! well! Then I know what course they take beforehand,' said Martin;
'and, therefore, you can have no delicacy in speaking plainly. Don't
mind me, I beg. I don't like him I tell you frankly. I am with him
because it happens from particular circumstances to suit my convenience.
I have some ability, I believe, in that way; and the obligation, if any,
will most likely be on his side and not mine. At the lowest mark, the
balance will be even, and there'll be no obligation at all. So you may
talk to me, as if I had no connection with him.'

'If you press me to give my opinion--' returned John Westlock.

'Yes, I do,' said Martin. 'You'll oblige me.'

'--I should say,' resumed the other, 'that he is the m