What! Don't you know that he has advertised
again?'
'No.'
'Oh, yes. I read it just before dinner in the old newspaper. I know it
to be his; having some reason to remember the style. Hush! Here's Pinch.
Strange, is it not, that the more he likes Pecksniff (if he can like him
better than he does), the greater reason one has to like HIM? Not a word
more, or we shall spoil his whole enjoyment.'
Tom entered as the words were spoken, with a radiant smile upon his
face; and rubbing his hands, more from a sense of delight than because
he was cold (for he had been running fast), sat down in his warm corner
again, and was as happy as only Tom Pinch could be. There is no other
simile that will express his state of mind.
'And so,' he said, when he had gazed at his friend for some time in
silent pleasure, 'so you really are a gentleman at last, John. Well, to
be sure!'
'Trying to be, Tom; trying to be,' he rejoined good-humouredly. 'There
is no saying what I may turn out, in time.'
'I suppose you wouldn't carry your own box to the mail now?' said Tom
Pinch, smiling; 'although you lost it altogether by not taking it.
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