'Though, by-the-bye, I suppose it was one of that family that pinted me out ?' 'No.

I have never been in the streets with one of them.' 'Heard me talked of among 'em, though ?' 'No.

I occupy my own rooms, and have held scarcely any communication with them.' 'Odder and odder!' said Mr Boffin.

'Well, sir, to tell you the truth, I don't know what to say to you.' 'Say nothing,' returned Mr Rokesmith; 'allow me to call on you in a few days.

I am not so unconscionable as to think it likely that you would accept me on trust at first sight, and take me out of the very street.
Let me come to you for your further opinion, at your leisure.' 'That's fair, and I don't object,' said Mr Boffin; 'but it must be on condition that it's fully understood that I no more know that I shall ever be in want of any gentleman as Secretary--it WAS Secretary you said; wasn't it ?' 'Yes.' Again Mr Boffin's eyes opened wide, and he stared at the applicant from head to foot, repeating 'Queer!--You're sure it was Secretary?
Are you ?' 'I am sure I said so.' -- 'As Secretary,' repeated Mr Boffin, meditating upon the word; 'I no more know that I may ever want a Secretary, or what not, than I do that I shall ever be in want of the man in the moon.