'
'Nonsense, Mark!' cried Tom. 'You see Mr--'
'Tigg,' interposed that gentleman. 'Wait a bit. I shall crush him soon.
All in good time!'
'Oh HIM!' rejoined Mark, with an air of careless defiance. 'Yes, I see
HIM. I could see him a little better, if he'd shave himself, and get his
hair cut.'
Mr Tigg shook his head with a ferocious look, and smote himself once
upon the breast.
'It's no use,' said Mark. 'If you knock ever so much in that quarter,
you'll get no answer. I know better. There's nothing there but padding;
and a greasy sort it is.'
'Nay, Mark,' urged Mr Pinch, interposing to prevent hostilities, 'tell
me what I ask you. You're not out of temper, I hope?'
'Out of temper, sir!' cried Mark, with a grin; 'why no, sir. There's
a little credit--not much--in being jolly, when such fellows as him is
a-going about like roaring lions; if there is any breed of lions, at
least, as is all roar and mane. What is there between him and Mrs Lupin,
sir? Why, there's a score between him and Mrs Lupin. And I think Mrs
Lupin lets him and his friend off very easy in not charging 'em double
prices for being a disgrace to the Dragon.
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