She is so immensely sharp.' Messrs Pyke and Pluck shook their heads mysteriously, and observed together that they had found that out long ago; upon which Mrs Nickleby tittered, and Sir Mulberry laughed, and Pyke and Pluck roared.
'But where's my brother-in-law, Sir Mulberry ?' inquired Mrs Nickleby.

'I shouldn't be here without him.

I hope he's coming.' 'Pyke,' said Sir Mulberry, taking out his toothpick and lolling back in his chair, as if he were too lazy to invent a reply to this question.
'Where's Ralph Nickleby ?' 'Pluck,' said Pyke, imitating the baronet's action, and turning the lie over to his friend, 'where's Ralph Nickleby ?' Mr Pluck was about to return some evasive reply, when the hustle caused by a party entering the next box seemed to attract the attention of all four gentlemen, who exchanged glances of much meaning.

The new party beginning to converse together, Sir Mulberry suddenly assumed the character of a most attentive listener, and implored his friends not to breathe--not to breathe.
'Why not ?' said Mrs Nickleby.

'What is the matter ?' 'Hush!' replied Sir Mulberry, laying his hand on her arm.