Now sir, on this account (and perhaps for another reason or two which I needn't go into) I am on your side.

And what I tell you is this--that as long as our people go backwards and forwards, to and fro, up and down, to that there jolly old Maypole, lettering, and messaging, and fetching and carrying, you couldn't help your son keeping company with that young lady by deputy,--not if he was minded night and day by all the Horse Guards, and every man of 'em in the very fullest uniform.' Mr Tappertit stopped to take breath after this, and then started fresh again.
'Now, sir, I am a coming to the point.

You will inquire of me, "how is this to be prevented ?" I'll tell you how.

If an honest, civil, smiling gentleman like you--' 'Mr Tappertit--really--' 'No, no, I'm serious,' rejoined the 'prentice, 'I am, upon my soul.
If an honest, civil, smiling gentleman like you, was to talk but ten minutes to our old woman--that's Mrs Varden--and flatter her up a bit, you'd gain her over for ever.

Then there's this point got--that her daughter Dolly,'-- here a flush came over Mr Tappertit's face--'wouldn't be allowed to be a go-between from that time forward; and till that point's got, there's nothing ever will prevent her.