This arrangement Mrs Wilfer sanctioned with a stately inclination of her head and wave of her gloves, as who should say, 'Your demerits shall be overlooked, and you shall be mercifully gratified, poor people.' 'By-the-bye, ma'am,' said Mr Boffin, turning back as he was going, 'you have a lodger ?' 'A gentleman,' Mrs Wilfer answered, qualifying the low expression, 'undoubtedly occupies our first floor.' 'I may call him Our Mutual Friend,' said Mr Boffin.

'What sort of a fellow IS Our Mutual Friend, now?
Do you like him ?' 'Mr Rokesmith is very punctual, very quiet, a very eligible inmate.' 'Because,' Mr Boffin explained, 'you must know that I'm not particularly well acquainted with Our Mutual Friend, for I have only seen him once.
You give a good account of him.

Is he at home ?' 'Mr Rokesmith is at home,' said Mrs Wilfer; 'indeed,' pointing through the window, 'there he stands at the garden gate.

Waiting for you, perhaps ?' 'Perhaps so,' replied Mr Boffin.

'Saw me come in, maybe.' Bella had closely attended to this short dialogue.