'I say, John,' quoth Mr Pinch, as his countenance fell, and he shook
his head in a dejected manner. 'I hope you are not getting into bad
company.'

'No, no,' he replied laughing. 'Don't be uneasy on that score.'

'Oh, but I AM uneasy,' said Tom Pinch; 'I can't help it, when I hear you
talking in that way. If Mr Tigg is what you describe him to be, you have
no business to know him, John. You may laugh, but I don't consider it by
any means a laughing matter, I assure you.'

'No, no,' returned his friend, composing his features. 'Quite right. It
is not, certainly.'

'You know, John,' said Mr Pinch, 'your very good nature and kindness of
heart make you thoughtless, and you can't be too careful on such a
point as this. Upon my word, if I thought you were falling among bad
companions, I should be quite wretched, for I know how difficult you
would find it to shake them off. I would much rather have lost this
money, John, than I would have had it back again on such terms.'

'I tell you, my dear good old fellow,' cried his friend, shaking him
to and fro with both hands, and smiling at him with a cheerful, open
countenance, that would have carried conviction to a mind much more
suspicious than Tom's; 'I tell you there is no danger.'

'Well!' cried Tom, 'I am glad to hear it; I am overjoyed to hear it. I
am sure there is not, when you say so in that manner. You won't take it
ill, John, that I said what I did just now!'

'Ill!' said the other, giving his hand a hearty squeeze; 'why what
do you think I am made of? Mr Tigg and I are not on such an intimate
footing that you need be at all uneasy, I give you my solemn assurance
of that, Tom. You are quite comfortable now?'

'Quite,' said Tom.

'Then once more, good night!'

'Good night!' cried Tom; 'and such pleasant dreams to you as should
attend the sleep of the best fellow in the world!'

'--Except Pecksniff,' said his friend, stopping at the door for a
moment, and looking gayly back.

'Except Pecksniff,' answered Tom, with great gravity; 'of course.'

And thus they parted for the night; John Westlock full of
light-heartedness and good humour, and poor Tom Pinch quite satisfied;
though still, as he turned over on his side in bed, he muttered to
himself, 'I really do wish, for all that, though, that he wasn't
acquainted with Mr Tigg.'

They breakfasted together very early next morning, for the two young
men desired to get back again in good season; and John Westloc